'sate' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'satiāre', where 'satis' meant 'enough' and the verbal suffix '-āre' formed verbs meaning 'to make or do'.

'satiāre' passed into Old French and Anglo-Norman forms (e.g. 'sacier'/'satisier') and into Middle English (e.g. 'saten'), eventually becoming the modern English word 'sate'.

Initially it meant 'to fill or make enough,' especially physically; over time it has come to mean 'to satisfy fully' in both physical and figurative senses.