late Old English betacnian "to denote, to mean, signify; be a visible sign or emblem of," from be- + Old English tacnian "to signify," from tacn "sign" (see token) or from Proto-Germanic *taiknōjanan. From c. 1200 as "to augur, presage, portend," also "be or give evidence of." Related: Betokened; betokening.
