'petulance' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'petulantia,' where 'petulant-' meant 'impudent or wanton.'

'petulantia' transformed into the Old French word 'petulance,' and eventually became the modern English word 'petulance' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'impudent or wanton behavior,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'childishly sulky or bad-tempered.'