early 15c., “to notify, give notice of” (a sense obsolete since 17c.), from notice (n.). The sense of “to point out, refer to, remark upon” is from 1620s. The meaning “to take notice of, perceive, become aware of” is attested by 1757, but it was long execrated by purists in England as an Americanism (also occasionally as a Scottishism, the two offenses not being clearly distinguished). Ben Franklin noted it as one of the words (along with verbal uses of progress and advocate) that seemed to him to have become popular in America while he was absent in France during the Revolution. Related: Noticed; noticing.