'referral' originates from the Latin word 'referre,' where 're-' meant 'back' and 'ferre' meant 'to carry.'

'referre' transformed into the French word 'référer,' and eventually became the modern English word 'refer' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to carry back or report,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'directing someone to another person or place.'