'contratto' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'contractus,' where 'con-' meant 'together' and 'trahere' meant 'to draw.'

'contractus' passed through Medieval Latin/Vulgar Latin forms and Old Italian into the modern Italian word 'contratto.'

Initially it meant 'that which is drawn together' or 'a drawing together'; over time it evolved into meanings related to a formal agreement ('contract') and also the result of contracting (e.g., contracting a disease or muscles drawing together).