referee (n.)youdaoicibaDictYouDict[referee 词源字典]
1620s, "person who examines patent applications" (see refer). Sporting use recorded by 1820 (specifically of baseball from 1856).[referee etymology, referee origin, 英语词源]
referee (v.)youdaoicibaDictYouDict
1883, originally colloquial, from referee (n.). Related: Refereed; refereeing.