Word Origin & History
donationearly 15c., from M.Fr. donation, from L. donationem (nom. donatio), from donare "give as a gift," from donum "gift," from PIE *donum "gift" (cf. Skt. danam "offering, present," O.C.S. dani "tribute," Lith. duonis "gift," O.Ir. dan "gift, endowment, talent"), from base *do-/*de- "to give."