- variegate (v.)
- 1650s "give variety to," from Late Latin variegatus "made of various sorts or colors," past participle of variegare "diversify with different colors," from varius "spotted, changing, varying" (see vary) + root of agere "to drive" (see act (n.)). Meaning "mark with different colors" is from 1660s (implied in Variegated). Related: vareiegating.