'anoint' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'anoindre', where the initial 'a-' (from Latin 'in-') meant 'in/on' and the element derived from Latin 'unguere' meant 'to smear or anoint'.

'anoint' changed from Old French 'anoindre' to Middle English 'anointen' and eventually became the modern English word 'anoint'.

Initially, it meant 'to smear or rub with oil' for physical purposes; over time it also came to mean 'to consecrate or appoint (by a ceremonial act)', which is still a primary modern sense.