'conquer' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'conquerre', ultimately from Latin 'conquirere' ('con-' + 'quaerere') where 'con-' meant 'together' (or 'com-') and 'quaerere' meant 'to seek'.

'conquer' changed from Old French 'conquerre' and Middle English 'conqueren' and eventually became the modern English word 'conquer'.

Initially it meant 'to seek out' or 'to get by searching', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to overcome or take control (often by force)'.