'refute' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'refutare,' where 're-' meant 'back' and 'futare' meant 'to beat'.

'refutare' transformed into the French word 'refuter,' and eventually became the modern English word 'refute' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to drive back or repel,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to disprove or counter an argument'.