To put in order by some property. Sorting changes nothing about the things — only where each one stands.
Old French sorte, from Latin sortem, accusative of sors (a lot, a fate, a kind); sorting changes nothing about the things themselves, only where each one now stands.
Latin sors named a lot drawn by fate, and a sort still keeps that old impartiality — it passes no judgment on the things themselves, only on whichever property is handed the power to decide their order this time.