1530s, "one who pacifies or appeases," agent noun from pacify. The meaning "nipple-shaped device for babies" is recorded by 1904. Pacificator "a peacemaker" (1530s) is directly from Latin.
Entries linking to pacifier
pacify v.
late 15c., pacifien, "appease, allay the anger of (someone)," from Old French pacifier, paciifier, "make peace," from Latin pacificare "to make peace; pacify," from pacificus "peaceful, peace-making," from pax (genitive pacis) "peace" (see peace). Of countries or regions, "to bring to a condition of calm, to restore peace to," late 15c., from the start with suggestions of forced submission and terrorization. Related: Pacified; pacifying.