'annunciate' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'annuntiare,' where 'ad-' meant 'to/toward' and 'nuntiare' meant 'to report' (related to 'nuntius', messenger).

'annunciate' passed into Old French (cf. 'anoncier'/'annoncier') and Middle English forms before becoming the modern English 'annunciate', retaining its sense of announcing or proclaiming.

Initially it meant 'to announce' or 'to report,' and over time it has largely kept that core meaning of 'making something known.'