Baretti: A dictionary of the English and Italian languages
Professá-re, v. a.
1. to profess, exercise publicly a particular study or calling; 2. to make one's self known of such or such a religion, sect, or party; s. m. Professá-tóre, f. Professá-tríce.
Florio: a worlde of wordes, or most copious, dictionarie in Italian and English
professare: to professe or make profession of. Also to auouch publikely.