'innovate' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'innovare' (past participle 'innovatus'), where 'in-' meant 'into' and 'novus' meant 'new'.

'innovate' came into English in the early modern period from Latin 'innovare' via scholarly and literary use; the Latin 'innovare' (to renew) led to Middle and Modern usage as 'innovate'.

Initially, it meant 'to make new or renew', but over time it evolved into the current sense of 'introduce new ideas, methods, or products'.