Mid 16th century; earliest use found in John Bellenden (c1495–a1548), poet and translator. From classical Latin imāginātus, past participle of imāgināreimagine.
imaginate2
/ɪˈmadʒɪneɪt/
Originally Scottish
verb
[with object]To imagine; to create imaginatively.
Origin
Mid 16th century. From classical Latin imāgināt-, past participial stem of imāgināreimagine.