'catalogue' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'catalogus', which came from Greek 'katalogos' where 'kata-' meant 'down/according to' and 'logos' meant 'word, account'.

'catalogue' changed from Greek 'katalogos' to Late Latin 'catalogus', entered Old/Middle French as 'catalogue' or was borrowed directly into Middle English, eventually becoming the modern English 'catalogue'.

Initially it meant 'a list or register' (from Greek/Latin usage), and over time it has retained that core meaning while extending to printed/online product lists and figurative lists.