'cross-examine' originates from the combination of 'cross' and 'examine', where 'cross' refers to the opposing side in a legal context and 'examine' means to inspect or question closely.

'cross-examine' evolved from the legal practice of examining witnesses in court, where the opposing side would question the witness to test the validity of their testimony.

Initially, it meant 'to question a witness in court', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.