'auspice' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'auspicium', where 'avis' meant 'bird' and 'specere' meant 'to look'.

'auspice' changed from the Latin word 'auspicium' (used for divination by observing birds) through Late Latin and Medieval Latin into Middle English 'auspice', and eventually became the modern English word 'auspice'.

Initially, it meant 'divination by observing birds' or 'a bird-observed omen', but over time it evolved into its current primary sense of 'patronage or sponsorship' (while the omen sense remains as a secondary or historical meaning).