First attest mid-15th. century, "to surround by hostile stratagem," from Latin circumventus, past participle of circumvenire "to get around, encircle, surround," in the transferred sense "to oppress,...
The word circumvent is not Latin but English, meaning to surround, encompass, lay traps for, to go round or to gain advantage by stratagem. The English word derives from Latin circum (around) and...