An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

The introduction of harmful substances or light into the natural environment as a consequence of human activities. → light pollution.
The act of polluting or the state of being polluted.

Etymology (EN): M.E., from O.Fr., from L.L. pollutionem “defilement,” from L. polluere “to soil, defile,” from pol-, variant of por- “forth, forward, before” + -luere “smear,” related to lutum “mud,” and to lues “filth; plague, pestilence;;” cf. Gk. luma “filth, dirt, disgrace;” O.Ir. loth “mud, dirt;” Lith. lutynas “pool, puddle;” Pers. âludan, as below.

Etymology (PE): Âludegi, from âludan, âlây-“to pollute, soil, stain;” Mid.Pers. âlutan; from prefixed Proto-Iranian *ā-rūta-, from rav- “to stain, soil;” Mid.Pers. Manichean Parthian rwd “rascal;” PIE base *leu- “dirty; to soil;” cf. L. lues, as above.