'confederate' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'confoederatus,' where 'con-' meant 'together' and 'foedus' meant 'league or treaty.'

'confoederatus' transformed into the Old French word 'confederer,' and eventually became the modern English word 'confederate' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to form a league or alliance,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.