'arraign' originates from Anglo-French/Old French, specifically the word 'areigner' (also found as Anglo-French 'areiner'), where elements relate to calling or bringing before a court.

'arraign' changed from Anglo-French/Old French 'areigner' into Middle English 'arreyne'/'arraignen' and eventually became the modern English 'arraign'.

Initially it meant 'to call to account or bring before a court,' and over time it has retained that legal sense while also acquiring a more general sense of 'to accuse or criticize'.