parsimony n.

early 15c., parcimony, "economy, thrift, frugality, sparingness in the use of expenditure of means," from Latin parsimonia "sparingness, frugality, thrift," from pars-, past-participle stem of parcere "to spare, save, refrain from, use moderately" (which is said to be unrelated to Latin parvus "small," parum "too little") + -monia, suffix signifying action, state, or condition. De Vaan suggests a PIE source-word meaning "to hold." Now commonly "excessive or unnecessary economy, stinginess," a narrowed sense attested by mid-16c.