Conversation so far:
who draws district lines for the house of representatives?
In most states, the state legislature draws the new districts, but some states have established redistricting commissions.
what are the reasons for drawing new district lines?
Political parties prepare for redistricting years in advance, and partisan control of redistricting institutions can provide a party with major advantages.
is partisan control of redistricting institutions for party advantage illegal?
Though various laws and court decisions have put constraints on redistricting, many redistricting institutions continue to practice gerrymandering

Question: where did the practice get its name?
Self-contained rewrite: where did the practice of gerrymandering get its name?