'intermittent' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'intermittere,' where 'inter-' meant 'between' and 'mittere' meant 'to send.'

'intermittere' transformed into the French word 'intermittent,' and eventually became the modern English word 'intermittent' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to send between,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'occurring at irregular intervals.'