'arraign' originates from Anglo-French/Old French, specifically the word 'areigner' (also attested as 'areigner'/'areignier'), where the prefix 'a-' served as an intensifier and the root was related to words meaning 'to judge' or 'to call to account'.

'arraign' changed from Old French forms such as 'areigner' into Anglo-Norman and Middle English forms (e.g. 'arenyen'/'areinen') and eventually became the modern English word 'arraign'.

Initially it meant 'to bring before a court or to call to account'; over time the word retained this legal sense and is now chiefly used in courtroom and legal contexts to mean 'to call (someone) before a court to answer charges'.