In pre-revolutionary France, "prode femmes" were proud, wise, virtuous women. It was a respectful and flattering term. By the time "prude" showed up in the English language in the early 1700s, however, there was nothing kind about it anymore.
Women, it turned out, could be TOO wise, too proper--for men's liking, at least, especially if it meant they weren't interested in sex.
"Prude" has been used ever since--not just in English but German and French too--against people perceived as uptight, usually women with proper manners or conservative ideas about sex (although now men are called "prudes" too).
Modern-day "prudes" also come in the form of government officials or activists campaigning against premarital sex, pornography, prostitution or homosexuality.
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