'purveyor' originates from Anglo-French/Old French, specifically the word 'purveisour' (from verbs like 'porveoir'/'pourveoir'), where the elements 'por-/pur-/pro-' meant 'forward/for' and the root related to Old French 'veoir' (from Latin 'vidēre') meant 'to see' (in the sense of provide/arrange).

'purveyor' changed from the Middle English/Anglo-French word 'purveisour' (derived from Old French 'porveoir'/'pourveoir') and eventually became the modern English word 'purveyor' with the sense of one who provides or supplies.

Initially, it meant 'one who provides or makes provision' (especially food or supplies), but over time it evolved into the current broader meaning of 'supplier' and also 'one who spreads or promotes (ideas, information, etc.)'.