Late 19th century; earliest use found in William Gladstone (1809–1898), prime minister and author. From Hellenistic Greek προσϕορά offering, Eucharistic bread (before or after consecration), already in ancient Greek in senses ‘application, use, increase, taking of food’ from πρός to + ϕορά carrying, after προσϕέρειν to bring to, to offer.