advertise

The story

1. Middle French · derived fromadvertir
2. Anglo-Norman · derived fromadvertir“to inform”
3. Middle English · inherited fromadvertisen
4. English todayadvertise

From Middle English advertisen, from Anglo-Norman advertir (“to inform”), avertir, Middle French advertir, avertir (“to warn, give notice to”), with the French -iss- infix assimilated to -ise, -ize and probably influenced by the noun advertisement. Compare also advert.

First known use, by meaning

• from 15th c. To give (especially public) notice of (something); to announce publicly.
• from 18th c. To provide information about a person or goods and services to influence others.
• from 19th c. To provide public information about (a product, service etc.) in order to attract public awareness and increase sales.
• from 15th c. To notify (someone) of something; to call someone's attention to something.