early 15c., "grant (someone) the status or privilege of citizenship, admit to membership in a town," from Old French enfranchiss-, present participle stem of enfranchir "to set or make free; grant a franchise to;" from en- "make, put in" (see en-(1)) + franc "free" (see franchise, n.). Generally with reference to voting privileges after c.1700. Related: Enfranchised; enfranchisement.