'vegetate' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'vegetare', where 'veget-' meant 'to enliven or animate'.

'vegetare' transformed into the French word 'végéter', and eventually became the modern English word 'vegetate' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to enliven or animate', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to grow or develop in a dull or inactive way'.