insure

The story

1. Anglo-Norman · derived fromenseurer
2. Middle English · inherited fromensuren
3. English todayinsure

First attested in c. 1440, as a variant of Middle English ensuren (from Anglo-Norman enseurer, itself from Old French en- + seür (“sure”), probably influenced by Old French asseürer (“to assure”)); took on its particular sense of "make safe against loss by payment of premiums" in 1635, replacing assure. Doublet of ensure.

Words from the same roots