'augur' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'augur', where the root is probably related to 'augēre' meaning 'to increase' and to the idea of interpreting signs about the will of the gods.

'augur' passed from Latin into Medieval and Early Modern English usage; the Latin 'augur' (a religious official who interpreted omens) was preserved into English largely with the same form and sense, becoming 'augur' in modern English.

Initially, it referred specifically to a Roman official who interpreted omens; over time it broadened to mean the act of predicting or indicating future events from signs, and figuratively to mean 'to portend' or 'to bode'.