'affatuate' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'affatuare,' where 'ad-' meant 'toward' and 'fatuus' meant 'foolish.'

'affatuare' transformed into the Old French word 'affatuar,' and eventually became the modern English word 'affatuate' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to make foolish,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to infatuate or cause to become foolishly in love or obsessed.'