1650s; earlier as an adjective (1630s), from French litigant or directly from Latin litigantem (nominative litigans), present participle of litigare "to dispute, quarrel, strive, carry on a suit" (see litigation).
plaintiffs and defendants are both litigants
lithology
lithosphere
lithotomy
lithotripsy
Lithuania
litigant
litigate
litigation
litigator
litigious
litmus