'badge' originates from Middle English (late medieval use), specifically from Old North French or Anglo-Norman roots such as 'bage' or 'bache' referring to an emblem or token.

'badge' was used in Middle English to mean a distinguishing mark or emblem; over time this sense persisted and led to verbal uses (to badge = to mark or award), and the gerund/present-participle form 'badging' developed to describe the action or process.

Initially, it meant 'a distinguishing emblem or token', and over time it expanded to include the actions of issuing or assigning such emblems and technical processes (e.g., electronic credentialing); the modern use still retains the core idea of marking or identifying.