'excite' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'excitare,' where 'ex-' meant 'out' or 'forth' and 'citare' meant 'to rouse or shake.'

'excite' changed from Middle English 'exciten,' borrowed via Anglo-French/Old French from the Latin 'excitare,' and eventually became the modern English word 'excite.'

Initially, it meant 'to rouse or call forth (into action or emotion),' and over time it evolved into its current meanings of 'to cause strong feelings' and 'to stimulate or raise to a higher energy state.'