'appetitive' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'appetitus' (past participle of 'appetere'), where 'ad-' meant 'to' and 'petere' meant 'to seek'.

'appetitive' changed from medieval Latin 'appetitivus' (and influenced by Old French forms such as 'appetitif') and eventually became the modern English word 'appetitive'.

Initially it carried the sense of 'a longing or seeking (of desire)', but over time it narrowed to the modern meaning 'relating to appetite or desire for food'.