15世纪早期，impulsif，最初指用于减少肿胀或体液的药物，来自中世纪拉丁语 impulsivus，源自拉丁语 impuls-，impellere 的过去分词词干，意为“撞击，推向”（参见 impel）。
“具有推动性质”（指力量、原因、能量等）的意义始于1600年左右。对于人，意为“鲁莽，特征是冲动”，始于1847年，来自 impulse。更早时，至少一次，指精神病患者：
The impulsive insane are often irritable, restless and jealous. Sometimes they have delusions, and sometimes not. Their delusions frequently seem to have no connection with their outbreaks of violence. They are often the best and at the same time the most dangerous class of patients in the asylums. They have little of the charity of the world, are most likely to be punished for their offences, and yet have the least control over their conduct. ["Impulsive and Homicidal Insanity," Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, April 19, 1843]
冲动型精神病患者常常易怒、不安和嫉妒。有时他们会有妄想，有时则没有。他们的妄想常常似乎与他们的暴力行为没有关联。他们常常是精神病院中best同时也是most dangerous的患者类别。他们几乎没有世俗的慈悲，最有可能因其罪行受到惩罚，但却对自己的行为控制最少。[“冲动与杀人狂精神病”，波士顿医学与外科杂志，1843年4月19日]
