'discriminate' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'discriminare,' where 'dis-' meant 'apart' and 'cernere' meant 'to separate.'

'discriminare' transformed into the French word 'discriminer,' and eventually became the modern English word 'discriminate' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to separate or distinguish,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to make a distinction based on prejudice.'