'impotent' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'impotentem', where the prefix 'im-' meant 'not' and 'potent-' meant 'powerful'.

'impotent' changed from Latin 'impotentem' to Old French 'impotent' and eventually became the modern English word 'impotent' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'not powerful' or 'without control', but over time it also developed the more specific meaning 'unable to perform sexually' while retaining the broader sense of 'powerless'.