1590s, from Medieval Latin prosecutor, agent noun from prosequi (see prosecute). Specific legal sense of "one who brings a case in a court of law" is from 1620s; earlier such a person was a promoter (late 15c.). Related: Prosecutorial.
proscription
proscriptive
prose
prosecute
prosecution
prosecutor
proselyte
proselytise
proselytism
proselytization
proselytize