c. 1600 (transitive) "to qualify," from Medieval Latin habilitatus, past participle of habilitare, from habile "fit, suitable" (see able). Intransitive meaning "obtain necessary qualifications" is from 1881. Related: Habilitated; habilitation.
He habilitated after his sabbatical at a prestigious American university
habanera
habeas corpus
haberdasher
haberdashery
habiliment
habilitate
hability
habit
habitable
habitant
habitat