'commuter' originates from the verb 'commute', which comes from Latin 'commutare', meaning 'to change or exchange'.

'commutare' transformed into the French word 'commuter', and eventually became the modern English word 'commute' and its derivative 'commuter'.

Initially, it meant 'to change or exchange', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a person who travels to work'.