Английский Этимологический словарь - paint (v.)

- 12c., from O.Fr. peinter, from peint, pp. of peindre "to paint," from L. pingere "to paint," from PIE base *pik-/*pig- "cut." The noun is from 1602. Painter (1220) is from O.Fr. peintour, from L. pictor, from pingere. Sense evolution between PIE and L. was, presumably, from "decorate with cut marks" to "decorate" to "decorate with color." To paint the town (red) first recorded 1884.