1570s, "a thing made fraudulently," from forge (v.) + -ery. Meaning "act of counterfeiting" is 1590s. The literal sense of the verb tended to go with forging (late 14c. as "act of working on a forge," 1858 as "piece of work made on a forge").

late 14c., from Old French copier (14c.), from Medieval Latin copiare "to transcribe," originally "to write in plenty," from Latin copia (see copy (n.)). Hence, "to write an original text many times." Related: Copied; copying. Figurative sense of "to imitate" is attested from 1640s.

copy (n.)

early 14c., "written account or record," from Old French copie (13c.), from Medieval Latin copia"reproduction, transcript," from Latin copia "an abundance, ample supply, profusion, plenty," from com "with" (see com-) + ops (genitive opis) "power, wealth, resources," from PIE root *op- "to work, produce in abundance." Sense extended 15c. to any specimen of writing (especially MS for a printer) and any reproduction or imitation.