'serrate' originates from Latin, specifically the past participle 'serratus', where 'serra' meant 'saw'.

'serratus' (Latin) passed into Medieval Latin and was borrowed into English as 'serrate' (via Late Latin/Old French influences) to form the modern English 'serrate'.

Initially, it meant 'having a saw-like edge' (from Latin), and this core meaning has largely remained the same in modern English.