I have been looking in OED for a history that makes sense, yet, I just find crumbs, and I can not piece the history of this term. I am hitting a dead end researching the greek term to censor, named λογοκρίνω
According to Oxford English Dictionary the word censure, n., is first documented in use in
- Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 361 Censures þat þe fend blowiþ, as ben suspendingis, enterditingis, cursingis, and reisingis of croiserie. Back then it was defined as ‘A spiritual punishment inflicted by some ecclesiastical judge.’ Ayliffe. (The earliest recorded sense.)
A Roman censor, formerly just called a censor was The title of two magistrates in ancient Rome, who drew up the register or census of the citizens, etc., and had the supervision of public morals.
In the same entry as censure, definition 5 explores, the concept further.
Censorship; the office or action of a censor.
a. Of the ancient Roman censors (= Latin censūra): also concrete (obsolete).
λογοκρίνω
See Screenshots of the OED entries for all the details, and referenced material.
Additional context - http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.04.0063:entry=censor-cn