Late Middle English. As noun from post-classical Latin procuratorium proxy, use as noun of neuter of classical Latin prōcūrātōrius; as adjective from classical Latin prōcūrātōrius of or concerning an agent or manager, in post-classical Latin also of an attorney, of or relating to an agent or proxy, of maintenance, of or relating to an academic proctor from prōcūrātor + -ius, suffix forming adjectives; compare -ory.