'entice' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'enticier' (or 'enticer') and is ultimately related to Latin forms derived from 'titillare' (Latin, 'to tickle'), with an in- prefix used in formation.

'titillare' (Latin) influenced Vulgar Latin forms such as *intiticare, which passed into Old French as 'enticier'/'enticer' and then into Middle English as 'enticen' before becoming modern English 'entice'.

Initially associated with the idea of 'tickling' or lightly stimulating (from Latin 'titillare'), the meaning shifted toward 'arousing desire or interest' and then to the current sense 'to lure or tempt'.