'remit' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'remittere', where 're-' meant 'back' and 'mittere' meant 'to send'.

'remittere' transformed into the Old French word 'remettre', and eventually became the modern English word 'remit' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to send back or release', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to cancel or refrain from exacting or inflicting'.