'anticipative' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'anticipare', where 'ante-' meant 'before' and 'capere' (via forms) meant 'to take'.

'anticipative' changed from Middle French/Middle English forms of 'anticipate' (from Latin 'anticipare') and eventually became the modern English adjective 'anticipative' by addition of the suffix '-ive'.

Initially, related forms meant 'to take or act before' (a literal taking-before), but over time the sense shifted toward 'expecting in advance' and 'acting beforehand' as in the current meanings.