'controller' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'contreroller,' where 'contre-' meant 'against' and 'roller' meant 'to roll or register.'

'contreroller' transformed into the Middle English word 'countroller,' and eventually became the modern English word 'controller.'

Initially, it meant 'to check or verify against a list,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a device or person that controls.'