1940s. From German Memoratmemorat, with the second element remodelled after -ate.
memorate2
/ˈmɛməreɪt/
Now rare
verb
[with object]To memorize, commit to memory. rare.
Origin
Early 17th century (in an earlier sense). From classical Latin memorāt-, past participial stem of memorāre to say, mention, recall to mind from memor mindful.