'aurify' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'aurum', where 'aurum' meant 'gold'; the verb-forming element '-ify' derives from Latin 'facere' meaning 'to make' (giving the sense 'to make into gold').

'aurify' was formed from Neo-/Late-Latin formations such as 'aurificare' (from 'aurum' + '-ficare') and entered English as a learned or coined verb, with 'aurified' as its past form.

Initially it meant 'to make into gold' in a literal or alchemical sense; over time it has also been used more loosely to mean 'to give a golden appearance' or 'to coat with gold.'