'profligate' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'profligatus,' where 'pro-' meant 'forward' and 'fligere' meant 'to strike down.'

'profligatus' transformed into the French word 'profligé,' and eventually became the modern English word 'profligate' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'overthrown or cast down,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'recklessly extravagant or wasteful.'