'purify' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'purificare', where 'purus' meant 'pure' and the suffix '-ficare' (from 'facere') meant 'to make'.

'purify' passed into English via Old French 'purifier' and Middle English forms (e.g. 'purifien'), eventually becoming the modern English 'purify'.

Initially it meant 'to make pure' in a general sense; over time the word's uses expanded to include removing physical impurities (e.g. water, metal) and figurative or spiritual cleansing.