Definition of domesticate

The word "domesticate" originated in the 14th century from the Latin words "domus," meaning "house," and "aticare," meaning "to make or render." The Latin verb "domesticare" meant "to make handy or useful" and was used to describe the process of domesticating animals, such as taming wolves or training animals to perform tasks. The verb was later adopted into Middle English as "domestiken," and then evolved into its modern form, "domesticate." The word initially carried a sense of making wild animals into tame and useful servants, but over time its meaning expanded to include the human process of creating a comfortable and familiar environment, such as a home or a familiar routine. Today, "domesticate" has a broader sense, encompassing not just the taming of animals but also the process of making something or someone suitable for human life.