'curate' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'curare', where 'cura' meant 'care' or 'concern'.

'curate' changed from Late Latin 'curatus' (past participle of 'curare') and was used in Medieval Latin and Old French contexts; it entered English via Middle English, originally as a noun meaning 'a clergyman entrusted with the care (of souls)', and later extended to the sense of 'taking care of or organizing collections.'

Initially, it meant 'to take care of' (especially in the sense of pastoral care); over time it broadened to include 'to organize or select items carefully' in museum, archival, and digital contexts.