'aviate' originates from French, specifically as a back-formation from French 'aviation', where Latin 'avis' meant 'bird'.

'aviate' was created in English in the early 20th century as a back-formation from French 'aviation' (from Latin 'avis'), and it entered English usage to mean 'to fly or operate an aircraft'.

Initially related to the concept of 'flight' (from 'bird'), it evolved into the specific modern meaning 'to pilot or operate an aircraft'.