1570s, "of the nature of a mandate, containing a command," from Late Latin mandatorius "pertaining to a mandator" (one who gives a charge or command), from Latin mandatus, past participle of mandare (see mandate (n.)). Sense of "obligatory because commanded" is from 1818.
attendance is mandatory
mandala
mandamus
mandarin
mandatary
mandate
mandatory
mandible
mandibular
Mandingo
mandolin
mandragora