'immigrate' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'immigrāre,' where 'in-' meant 'into' and 'migrāre' meant 'to move.'

'immigrāre' transformed into the French word 'immigrer,' and eventually became the modern English word 'immigrate' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to move into a place,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.