'approbatory' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'approbatorius' (from 'approbare'), where 'ad-' meant 'to, toward' and 'probare' meant 'to test, prove, approve'.

'approbatory' changed from Late Latin/Medieval Latin 'approbatorius' (derived from Latin 'approbatus', past participle of 'approbare') and passed into Old French/Anglo-Norman forms and Middle English (related to 'approbation' and 'approbate'), eventually becoming the modern English word 'approbatory'.

Initially associated with 'proving' or 'establishing as good' (from the sense 'to test, approve'), but over time it evolved into the current meaning of 'expressing approval' or 'showing praise'.