'relater' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'relatus' (from the verb 'referre'), where 're-' meant 'back' and 'ferre' meant 'to carry'.

'relater' changed from Old French 'relater' (and Medieval Latin forms such as 'relatare') and eventually became the modern English noun 'relater' through Middle English.

Initially, related forms meant 'to bring back' or 'to refer'; over time the sense shifted toward 'to tell' or 'to recount', which is the primary modern sense reflected in 'relater'.