Late Middle English (in an earlier sense). From classical Latin prōpōnere to expose to view, exhibit, to post up, publish, to give notice of, announce, to place in front, to bring to the attention, to imagine, to bear in mind, to offer, propose, suggest, to destine, appoint, to set out, state, to plan, purpose, intend from prō- + pōnere to put, place. Compare Spanish proponer, Portuguese propor, Italian proporre, and also Middle Dutch proponēren (Dutch proponeeren, †proponeren).