'potentate' originates from Late Latin 'potentatus' / 'potent-', ultimately from Latin 'potēns' (genitive 'potentis') meaning 'powerful', derived from 'potis' meaning 'able'.

'potentate' entered English via Middle French/Medieval Latin (e.g., Middle French 'potentat' or Late Latin 'potentatus') and evolved into the modern English form 'potentate'.

Initially it referred generally to 'one who is powerful' or the condition of power; over time it came to mean specifically a ruler or sovereign with great (often absolute) power.