late 15c., "to blind (someone's) judgment," from M.Fr. aveugler "delude, make blind," from V.L. *aboculus "without sight, blind," from L. ab- "without" + oculus "eye" (see eye). Loan-translation of Gk. ap ommaton "without eyes." Meaning "to win over by deceit, seduce" is 1530s.
