The Spanish verb 'portar' meaning 'to carry' comes directly from the Latin verb 'portare', which had the same meaning. This is a straightforward inheritance where both the form and meaning have remained remarkably stable over time from Latin to Spanish.

Several common Spanish words share this Latin root, including: 'puerto' (port, harbor - a place where things are carried in and out), 'portador' (carrier), 'pasaporte' (passport - originally a document allowing the carrying/passage of a person), 'deportar' (to deport - literally to carry away), and 'importar' (to import - to carry in).

Many English words are related to 'portar' through the same Latin root 'portare': 'port' (a harbor), 'porter' (one who carries luggage), 'portable' (able to be carried), 'import', 'export', 'transport', 'deport', and 'report' (originally meaning to carry back news). The 'port-' element in all these words maintains the core meaning of carrying or movement.