Source: http://www.cciw.com/content/computer_etymology.html
According to David R. Wilton, management consultant and amateur
etymologist, the origin and evolution of the word computer is
rather straightforward. Computer derives directly from the Latin
computus and computare. Both Latin words mean the same as the
English verb compute: to determine by mathematical means. Putare
means to reckon, and com is an intensifying prefix. An intensifying
prefix heightens or stresses, but does not change the meaning of
the word it modifies; for example, in the word inflammable, in is
an intensifier, and inflammable means easily inflamed.