1610s, "the point at which something splits in two," noun of action from bifurcate (v.). The meaning "a division into two forks" is from 1640s.
Entries linking to bifurcation
bifurcate v.
"to divide into two forks or branches," 1610s, from Medieval Latin bifurcatus, from Latin bi- "two" (see bi-) + furca "two-pronged fork, fork-shaped instrument," a word of unknown etymology. Related: Bifurcated; bifurcating.