'aureole' (base of 'aureoling') originates from Latin, specifically the word 'aureola', a diminutive of 'aureus' (from 'aurum' meaning 'gold'), where 'aureola' meant 'little gold (ring)'.

'aureola' passed into Old French as 'aureole' and then into Middle English as 'aureole', maintaining the sense of a ring or radiance around a figure; the verb form 'to aureole' and its derivatives like 'aureoling' developed later in English usage.

Initially it meant 'a little golden (ring)', referring to a small gold ornament or ring; over time it evolved to mean 'a ring or radiance of light (halo)' and so 'aureoling' now conveys surrounding with such a halo.