'pollute' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'polluere', where 'polluere' meant 'to soil, defile'.

'pollute' changed from Latin 'polluere' and its past participle 'pollutus' into Old French forms and entered Middle English as 'poluten' or 'polluten', eventually becoming the modern English 'pollute'.

Initially, it meant 'to soil or defile', but over time it evolved into its current primary meaning of 'to make impure or harmful', especially in environmental contexts.