Late 15th century (in an earlier sense). From Middle French, French artificieux seeking to deceive by cunning, (of a person) skilful, skilfully made and its etymon classical Latin artificiōsus in accordance with the rules of an art, prescribed by art, technical, accomplished, involving artistry, skilfully contrived, ingenious from artificium + -ōsus. Compare Old Occitan artificios, Catalan artificiós, Spanish artificioso, Portuguese artificioso, Italian artificioso.