'intransitive' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'intransitivus,' where 'in-' meant 'not' and 'transitivus' meant 'going across.'

'intransitivus' transformed into the French word 'intransitif,' and eventually became the modern English word 'intransitive' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'not going across,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'not taking a direct object.'