'augurship' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'augur', where 'augur' meant 'a diviner or religious official who interpreted omens'. The English noun is formed by combining 'augur' with the Old English suffix '-ship' (from 'scipe'), meaning 'state, condition, or office'.

'augur' passed into English via Old French 'augure' and Middle English as 'augur'; the Modern English compound 'augurship' arose by joining 'augur' with the suffix '-ship' to denote the office or condition of being an augur.

Initially it meant 'the office or function of an augur', and this meaning has largely been retained in modern usage (though the word is now rare).