'apprize' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'apreisier' (also reflected in French 'apprécier'), where the root 'pretium' (via Latin) meant 'price'.

'apprize' changed from the Vulgar/Latin word 'appretiare' and the Old French 'apreisier'/'aprecier', passed into Middle English (forms such as 'apprisen'/'appreisen') and eventually became the modern English 'apprize' (and the related form 'appraise').

Initially it meant 'to set a price or value', and over time it evolved into the general sense 'to assess or determine the value of' (modern 'appraise'/'apprize'); additionally, spelling and usage have sometimes been confused with 'apprise' ('to inform').