early 14c. (intransitive); late 14c. (transitive), from present participle stem of Old French sofire "be sufficient, satisfy" (Modern French suffire), from Latin sufficere "put under, lay a foundation under; supply as a substitute; be enough, be adequate," from sub "up to" (see sub-) + root of facere "to make" (see factitious). Phrase suffice it to say (1690s) is a rare surviving subjunctive.