c.1225, from O.Fr.
devocion, from L.
devotionem, noun of action from
devovere "dedicate by a vow," from
de- "down, away" +
vovere "to vow," from
votum "vow" (see
vow). In ancient L., "act of consecrating by a vow," also "loyalty, fealty, allegiance;" in Church L., "devotion to God, piety." This was the original sense in Eng.; the etymological sense, including secular situations, returned 16c. via It. and Fr.
Devote is from 1586, from L.
devotus, pp. of
devovere. Devotee is from 1645, perhaps on model of
assignee.
[di-voh-shuh
n] 
