'automat' originates from German, specifically the word 'Automat', ultimately from Greek 'automatos', where 'auto-' meant 'self' and '-matos' meant 'acting' or 'moving'.

'automat' changed from French 'automate' and New Latin 'automatus' and eventually became the modern English word 'automat'.

Initially, it meant 'self-acting device', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a coin-operated vending machine or self-service restaurant'.