imprecation

mid-15c., “a curse, cursing,” from Latin imprecationem (nominative imprecatio), from past participle stem of imprecari “invoke, pray, call down upon,” from assimilated form of in- “into, in, within” (see in- (2)) + precari “to pray, ask, beg, request” (see pray). “Current limited sense is characteristic of human nature.” [Weekley]