1818, "to change state or condition, undergo change," back-formation from mutation. In the genetic sense, "undergo mutation," 1913, from Latin mutatus, past participle of mutare "to change" (from PIE root *mei- (1) "to change, go, move"). Related: Mutated; mutating.
cells mutate
musty
mutability
mutable
mutagen
mutant
mutate
mutation
mutatis mutandis
mute
muted
mutely