'noncombatant' originates from the prefix 'non-' meaning 'not' and the word 'combatant' from Latin 'combattantem', where 'com-' meant 'together' and 'battuere' meant 'to beat or fight.'

'combattantem' transformed into the Old French word 'combattant', and eventually became the modern English word 'combatant', with 'non-' added to denote the opposite.

Initially, it meant 'not fighting', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'individuals not engaged in fighting during a war.'