early 15c., "to reload" (a vessel), from re- "again, back" + charge "to load" (q.v.); modeled on Old French rechargier "to load, load back on" (13c.). Meaning "re-power a battery" is from 1876. Related: Recharged; recharging. The noun is recorded from 1610s in English.[recharge etymology, recharge origin, 英语词源]