'automaton' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'αὐτόματον' (automaton), where 'αὐτό-' (auto-) meant 'self' and 'ματον' (maton) meant 'thinking' or 'acting.'

'αὐτόματον' transformed into the Latin word 'automaton,' and eventually became the modern English word 'automaton' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'self-operating machine,' but over time it evolved to also describe a person acting mechanically.