Betoken, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Betokened; p. pr. & vb. n. Betokening.]
1. To signify by some visible object; to show by signs or tokens. A dewy cloud, and in the cloud a bow . . . Betokening peace from God, and covenant new. Milton.
2. To foreshow by present signs; to indicate something future by that which is seen or known; as, a dark cloud often betokens a storm.
Syn. -- To presage; portend; indicate; mark; note.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for betoken; he lists it under augur.
Where he writes about it:
"Persons or things augur; persons only forebode or presage; things only betoken or portend." CRABB English Synonymes. — from augur
We forebode misfortune either from circumstances that betoken failure, or from gloomy fancies for which we could not give a reason. — from augur