Origin and history of rejoicing

c. 1300, rejoisen, "to own (goods, property), possess, enjoy the possession of, have the fruition of," from Old French rejoiss-, present participle stem of rejoir, resjoir "gladden, rejoice," from re-, which here is of obscure signification, perhaps an intensive (see re-), + joir "be glad," from Latin gaudere "rejoice" (see joy (n.)). Also compare joy (v.)); rejoy (early 14c.) also was used.

It is attested from mid-14c. in a transitive sense of "make joyful, gladden." The intransitive meaning "be full of joy" is recorded from late 14c. To rejoice in "be glad about, delight in" is from late 14c. Also in 15c.-16c. "to have (someone) as husband or wife, to have for oneself and enjoy." Related: Rejoiced; rejoicing.