From Latin 'cooperīre' (to cover entirely), via Old French 'covrir' — the same root behind 'discover' (un-cover).
To put something on top of or in front of something else to protect or conceal it.
From Old French 'covrir,' from Latin 'cooperīre' meaning 'to cover over completely,' from 'co-' (intensive) + 'operīre' (to close, shut, cover). Key roots: operīre (Latin: "to close, cover").