'advocate' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'advocatus', where 'ad-' meant 'to' and 'vocare' meant 'to call'.

'advocatus' transformed into the Old French word 'avocat', and eventually became the modern English word 'advocate' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'one who is called to aid another', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to support or argue for a cause or policy'.