Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
COUNSEL
I. noun
Etymology: Middle English conseil, from Anglo-French cunseil, from Latin consilium, from consulere to consult
Date: 13th century
1. advice given especially as a result of consultation, a policy or plan of action or behavior, deliberation , consultation ,
3. purpose , guarded thoughts or intentions,
4. a. plural counsel a lawyer engaged in the trial or management of a case in court, a lawyer appointed to advise and represent in legal matters an individual client or a corporate and especially a public body, consultant 2,
II. verb (-seled or -selled; -seling or counselling)
Date: 14th century
transitive verb advise , intransitive verb consult