The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Notify \No"ti*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Notified; p. pr. & vb.
   n. Notifying.] [F. notifier, L. notificare; notus known (p.
   p. of noscere to known) + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See
   Know, and -fy.]
   [1913 Webster]
   1. To make known; to declare; to publish; as, to notify a
      fact to a person.
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            No law can bind till it be notified or promulged.
                                                  --Sowth.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To give notice to; to inform by notice; to apprise; as,
      the constable has notified the citizens to meet at the
      city hall; the bell notifies us of the time of meeting.
      [1913 Webster]

            The President of the United States has notified the
            House of Representatives that he has approved and
            signed the act.                       --Journal of
                                                  the Senate, U.
                                                  S.
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   Note: This application of notify has been condemned; but it
         is in constant good use in the United States, and in
         perfect accordance with the use of certify.
         [1913 Webster]