1290, "obta da3 in, contrive, bring about," from Anglo-Fr. purchaser "go after," from pur- "forth" (possibly used here as an intensive prefix; see purblind) + O.Fr. chacier "run after" (see chase). Sense of "buy" first recorded 1377, though the word continued to be used for "to get by conquest in war, obtain as booty" up to 17c. Noun meaning "that which is bought" is recorded from 1587. The sense of "hold or position for advantageously applying power" (1711) is extended from the nautical verb meaning "to haul or draw (especially by mechanical power)," used especially of hauling up anchors, and attested from 1567.