Etymology The adjective is first attested circa 1440, in Middle English, the verb in 1530; inherited from Middle English divulgat(e) (“divulgated”, used participially), borrowed from Latin dīvulgātus, perfect passive participle of dīvulgāre, see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (adjective-forming suffix). Doublet of divulge.
he did divulgate and disperse abroad among the king's subjects great numbers of books1563 March 30 (Gregorian calendar), John Foxe, Actes and Monuments of These Latter and Perillous Dayes, […], London: […] Iohn Day, […], →OCLC:
Etymology The adjective is first attested circa 1440, in Middle English, the verb in 1530; inherited from Middle English divulgat(e) (“divulgated”, used participially), borrowed from Latin dīvulgātus, perfect passive participle of dīvulgāre, see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (adjective-forming suffix). Doublet of divulge.