1550s, "index, list, catalogue," from Late Latin repertorium "inventory, list," from Latin repertus, past participle of reperire "to find, get, invent," from re-, intensive prefix, + parire, archaic form of paerere "produce, bring forth," from PIE root *per- "attempt" (see parent). Meaning "list of performances" is first recorded 1845; repertory theater is attested from 1896.