'discriminate' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'discriminare', where 'dis-' meant 'apart' and 'crimen/discrimin-' referred to 'a dividing, distinction'.

'discriminate' changed from the Latin word 'discriminare' (used in Late Latin) and entered English via learned borrowing in the 17th century, becoming the modern English word 'discriminate'.

Initially, it meant 'to separate or set apart (make a distinction)', and over time it kept that sense while also developing the related meaning of 'treating people differently (often unfairly)'.