'neaten' originates from the English word 'neat', which comes from the Latin word 'nitidus', meaning 'shining' or 'clean'.

'neat' evolved from the Old French word 'net', which meant 'clean' or 'pure', and eventually became the modern English word 'neat'.

Initially, it meant 'clean or pure', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'tidy or orderly'.