1530s, alteration of Middle English verdit (c.1300), "a jury's decision in a case," from Anglo-French verdit (Old French voirdit) "sworn testimony, affidavit; judgment, written record of a verdict," literally "a true saying or report," from ver, veir "true" (see very) + dit, past participle of dire "to say" (see diction). Spelling influenced by Medieval Latin verdictum "a verdict."