'falter' originates from Middle English (late 14th–15th century), likely from a verb such as 'faltren' meaning 'to hesitate' or 'to fail' in sense, with possible influence from Old French or Germanic sources.

'falter' changed from Middle English forms like 'faltren' or 'faultre' and eventually became the modern English word 'falter' in Early Modern English.

Initially, it referred broadly to failing or stumbling (physically or in action); over time it developed the additional sense of hesitating in speech or losing confidence, which is common in modern usage.