'administer' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'administrare', where 'ad-' meant 'to' and 'ministrare' meant 'to serve'.

'administrare' transformed into the Old French word 'administrer', and eventually became the modern English word 'administer' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to serve or manage', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to manage or execute duties'.