Etymology of the English word reference
the English word reference
derived from the English word refer
derived from the French word refer
derived from the Medieval Latin word referre (bring, carry back, again; give, pay back, render; it matters, makes a difference, is of importance; report , bring back news; record)
derived from the Latin word ferre (to carry; to bear; bring, bear; tell)
derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *bher-
using the Latin prefix re-
using the English suffix -ence