pulsate

The story

1. Latin · derived frompellō“to strike”
2. New Latin · derived frompulsō, pulsātum“(of an organ) to pulse, to emit a pulse”
3. English todaypulsate

Perhaps formed within English as a back-formation from pulsation (attested from the early 15th century, in Middle English). A figurative derivation from New Latin pulsō, pulsātum (“(of an organ) to pulse, to emit a pulse”, intransitive) is also possible, itself a back-formation of New Latin pulsātiō (“pulsation”, 14th century), or derived from classical Latin pulsō (“to strike repeatedly”, transitive) with semantic influence from classical pulsus (“a pulse”). Ultimately from Latin pellō (“to strike”). By surface analysis, pulse + -ate (verb-forming suffix). Doublet of push.

First known use, by meaning

• from 1674 To expand and contract rhythmically; to throb or to beat, exhibit a pulse.
• from 1861 To quiver, vibrate, or flash; as to the beat of music.
• from 1744 To pulse, to be full of life, energy: to bustle, thrive, flourish.