design – etymology

design (v.)

1540s, from L. designare “mark out, devise, choose, designate, appoint,” from de- “out” (see de-) + signare “to mark,” from signum “a mark, sign” (see sign (n.)). Originally in English with the meaning now attached to designate; many modern uses of design are metaphoric extensions. As a noun, from 1580s, from M.Fr. desseign.