'auspicate' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'auspicari', where 'avis' meant 'bird' and 'specere' meant 'to look' (so literally 'one who looks at birds for omens').

'auspicari' passed into Late/Medieval Latin as 'auspicari'/'auspicatus' and then into English as the verb 'auspicate' (recorded in later post-medieval usage) carrying the sense of taking auspices or interpreting omens.

Initially, it meant 'to observe birds for omens' in a literal ritual sense; over time it broadened to 'to take or interpret omens' and more generally 'to predict or foretell' (largely archaic or rare in modern English).