'attendant' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'atendre,' where 'a-' meant 'to' and 'tendre' meant 'stretch or tend.'

'atendre' transformed into the Middle English word 'attenden,' and eventually became the modern English word 'attendant.'

Initially, it meant 'to wait upon or serve,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a person who attends to the needs of others.'