'effeminate' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'effeminatus,' where 'ex-' meant 'out of' and 'femina' meant 'woman.'

'effeminatus' transformed into the Old French word 'effeminer,' and eventually became the modern English word 'effeminate' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to make womanish,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of '(of a man) having characteristics regarded as typical of a woman.'