'assassin' originates from Arabic, specifically the word 'ḥashshāshīn,' where 'ḥashshāsh' meant 'hashish user.'

'ḥashshāshīn' transformed into the French word 'assassin,' and eventually became the modern English word 'assassin' through Middle English.

Initially, it referred to a member of a secretive sect known for political murders, but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a person who murders an important person for political or religious reasons.'