Meaning

noun a document attesting to the truth of certain stated facts

noun a formal declaration that documents a fact of relevance to finance and investment; the holder has a right to receive interest or dividends

verb present someone with a certificate

originThe noun is from Middle English certificat, certificate, sertyfycat, from Middle French certificat or its etymon Medieval Latin certificātum. The verb is from the noun. The adjective is a learned borrowing from Latin certificātus.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 3.0