con·fer / kənˈfər/ • v. (-ferred, -fer·ring) 1. [tr.] grant or bestow (a title, degree, benefit, or right).2. [intr.] have discussions; exchange opinions: the officials were conferring with allies.DERIVATIVES: con·fer·ment n. (in sense 1).con·fer·ra·ble adj.con·fer·ral / -ˈfərəl/ n. (in sense 1).

confer †bring together, collect; compare, collate; converse, take counsel; bestow. XVI. — L. conferre, f. CON- + ferre bring, BEAR 2.
So conference †collation, collection; taking counsel, discourse; meeting for consultation. XVI. — F. conférence or medL. conferentia.