'ovulate' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'ovulatus' (related to 'ovulum'), where 'ovum' meant 'egg'.

'ovulate' developed from Medieval/Scientific Latin 'ovulatus' (past participle of a verb based on 'ovulum') and entered modern English via scientific Latin usage in the 19th century.

Initially formed from Latin roots referring to 'having small eggs' or 'related to an egg'; it evolved into the specific biological meaning 'to release an egg from the ovary' in modern usage.