An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

The point in the orbit of the moon or an artificial satellite that is farthest from the terrestrial center and at which the body’s velocity is at a minimum.

Etymology (EN): From Fr. apogée, from L. apogæum, from Gk. apogaion “away from the earth,”
from → apo- “off, away” + gaia/ge “earth.” According to Dehxodâ, the term owj used in Persian is neither Ar. nor Skt. (contrary to the opinions of Khwarazi and Biruni respectively), but the corrupt form of the above Gk. term.

Etymology (PE): Apâzam, from apâ-, → apo-, + Av. zam- “the earth,” Mid.Pers. zamig, Mod.Pers. zami, zamin “the earth;” cf. Skt. ksam, Gk. khthôn, khamai “on the ground,” L. homo “earthly being” and humus “the earth” (as in homo sapiens or homicide, humble, humus, exhume);
PIE root *dh(e)ghom “earth”.