'commando' originates from Afrikaans, specifically the word 'kommando', where 'kommando' meant 'a military unit under command'.

'commando' changed from the Afrikaans word 'kommando' (used for Boer militia units in South Africa in the 19th century) and entered English during the Boer Wars; it eventually became the modern English word 'commando'.

Initially, it meant 'a military unit or detachment', but over time it evolved into its current primary meaning of 'a soldier trained for raids' and by extension 'special forces member'.