'deify' originates from Late Latin, specifically the word 'deificare', where 'deus' meant 'god' and 'facere' meant 'to make'.

'deify' changed from Late Latin 'deificare' (and Medieval/Church Latin usage) through Old/Medieval Romance influences and Middle English forms into the modern English word 'deify'.

Initially, it meant 'to make a god of' or 'to render divine,' and over time it has retained that core meaning of treating someone or something as divine.