In the late 1930’s, B.F. Skinner and other behavior analysts developed a language intended to accurately and ‘scientifically’ describe behavior. They intended to start simply and gradually increase complexity, even as other sciences developed over time.

To match the easily observable development of behaviors increasing in likelihood, they selected the word reinforcement to describe “something added that strengthens.” So far, so good. The term matches the reality of adding a reward that strengthens the likelihood that a behavior will occur. What happened next pretty much destroyed any chance of ever being able to discuss behavior and behavior modification in a rational, objective manner. To describe the opposite of reinforcement, behavior analysts picked the term, punishment.
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