'control' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'contrerole,' where 'contre-' meant 'against' and 'role' meant 'roll or list.'

'contrerole' transformed into the Middle English word 'controllen,' and eventually became the modern English word 'control.'

Initially, it meant 'to check or verify against a list,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to direct or manage.'