'manipulate' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'manipulatus' / 'manipulare', where 'manipulus' meant 'a handful' (from 'manus' meaning 'hand').

'manipulate' entered English via French 'manipuler' (modern French), which in turn derived from Latin 'manipulatus'/'manipulare'. The Latin root 'manipulus' (a handful) and 'manus' (hand) informed the sense of handling.

Initially it meant 'to handle or manage with the hands' and over time it broadened to 'to handle, manage, or control' including figurative senses such as influencing people or events (sometimes with a negative connotation).