referee

Where does the word "referee" come from? It comes from Latin referre, and was adopted directly into English (1610s).

Referee’s story begins in Latin: referre meant “to refer back, to report.” To refer, to carry back, from re- (back) and ferre (to carry). It reached English by 1610s as referee. Settled as the English word for one to whom a matter is referred for a decision. Today, referee means an official who oversees a game or contest, enforcing its rules.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient referre "to refer back, to report", to refer, to carry back, from re- (back) and ferre (to carry).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1610s referee "an official who enforces the rules in a sport or contest", settled as the English word for one to whom a matter is referred for a decision.