'contaminant' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'contaminare,' where 'con-' meant 'together' and 'taminare' meant 'to touch or defile.'

'contaminare' transformed into the French word 'contaminer,' and eventually became the modern English word 'contaminate' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to touch or defile,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a substance that makes something impure.'