late 15c., "management," from Middle French solicitation and directly from Latin solicitationem (nominative solicitatio) "vexation, disturbance, instigation," noun of action from past participle stem of solicitare "to disturb, rouse, stimulate, provoke"
(see solicit). Meaning "action of soliciting" is from 1520s. Specific sexual sense is from c. 1600.
