'congratulate' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'congratulatus,' where 'con-' meant 'together' and 'gratulatus' meant 'to give thanks or rejoice.'

'congratulatus' transformed into the French word 'congratuler,' and eventually became the modern English word 'congratulate' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to give thanks or rejoice together,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.