ap·prove / əˈproōv/ • v. [tr.] 1. officially agree to or accept as satisfactory: the budget was approved by Congress. ∎  [intr.] believe that someone or something is good or acceptable: I don't approve of the way she pampers my father and brothers.2. archaic prove; show.DERIVATIVES: ap·prov·ing·ly adv.

approve †prove, demonstrate; sanction, commend. XIV. — OF. aprover (mod. approuver) :- L. approbāre, f. AP- + probus just, good. The tonic stem appreuv- of the OF. vb. gave ME. appreven. Cf. PROVE.
Hence approval XVII (rare before XIX).