'aurific' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'aurificus', where 'aur-' meant 'gold' and '-fic' (from Latin 'facere') meant 'making or producing'.

'aurific' changed from the Late Latin word 'aurificus' and was borrowed into English (attested from around the 17th century) as 'aurific', preserving its formation from Latin elements.

Initially, it meant 'making or forming gold' in Latin contexts; over time it has come to mean 'producing or containing gold' in English, a closely related sense.