'extol' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'extollere', where 'ex-' meant 'out/up' and 'tollere' meant 'to lift or raise.'

'extol' changed from Latin 'extollere' into Late Latin/Old French forms (e.g. 'estoler') and Middle English adaptations (such as 'extollen'), and eventually became the modern English word 'extol'.

Initially it meant 'to lift up (physically)', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to raise up in status or to praise highly.'