'adduce' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'adducere,' where 'ad-' meant 'toward' and 'ducere' meant 'to lead.'

'adducere' transformed into the French word 'adduire,' and eventually became the modern English word 'adduce' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to lead or bring forward,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to cite as evidence.'