'current-sensing' is a modern compound formed from 'current' and 'sensing'. 'Current' originates from Latin, specifically the verb 'currere', where the root 'curr-' meant 'to run'. 'Sensing' derives from Latin 'sentire', where the root 'sent-' meant 'to feel or perceive.'

'current' passed into English via Old French (e.g. 'corant') and Middle English ('curraunt'), shifting from the sense of 'running' to describe flows (including electrical flow). 'Sense' came through Old French from Latin 'sentire', and the gerund/participle form produced modern English 'sensing'. The compound 'current-sensing' is a technical formation from modern English combining these elements.

Initially, 'current' primarily meant 'running' (literal motion), but with scientific usage it extended to mean 'flow' including electrical flow; 'sense/sensing' initially meant 'to feel or perceive' and evolved into the technical sense of 'detecting' (as by sensors). Together they now mean 'detecting or measuring electrical flow.'