here is a definition I found online:
Apocrypha
1387, from L.L.
apocryphus "secret, not approved for public reading," from Gk.
apokryphos "hidden, obscure," thus "(books) of unknown authorship" (especially those included in the Septuagint and Vulgate but not originally written in Hebrew and not counted as genuine by the Jews), from
apo- "away" (see
apo-) +
kryptein "to hide." Properly plural (the single would be
Apocryphon), but commonly treated as a collective sing.
Apocryphal "of doubtful authenticity" is from 1590.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
These books are interesting reading but not to be confused as and are not commonly accepted as scripture. My favourite read was " the assencion of Isaiah".