'annunciate' originates from Latin, specifically the verb 'annuntiare', where 'ad-' (as assimilated to 'an-') meant 'to' or 'toward' and 'nuntiare' meant 'to announce' (from 'nuntius', 'messenger').

'annunciate' changed from Latin 'annuntiare' into Old French forms and then entered Middle English as 'annunciaten'/'annunciaten', eventually becoming the modern English 'annunciate' and its derivatives like 'annunciation' and 'annunciator'.

Initially, it meant 'to announce' or 'to give notice (as a messenger)', and over time it has retained that core sense but also acquired specialized religious usage (e.g., the Annunciation).