palpate

Did You Know?

Palpate has been part of the English language since at least the mid-19th century. It was probably coined from the preexisting noun form palpation, which itself traces back to the Latin verb palpare, meaning "to stroke or caress." Other descendants of palpare in English include palpable, palpitate, and the verb palp. Even feel itself is a distant cousin of palpitate, as both words can be linked to the same ancient root word that gave Latin palpare.