The Spanish verb 'pulsar' meaning 'to push or press' comes from the Latin verb 'pulsare', which meant 'to push or beat' and was a frequentative form (indicating repeated action) of the Latin verb 'pellere' meaning 'to push or drive'. The evolution from 'pellere' to 'pulsare' to 'pulsar' shows how the basic concept of pushing or driving force has been preserved through the centuries, while the form has been simplified in Spanish.

Some related Spanish words include 'pulso' (pulse), 'pulsación' (heartbeat or keystroke), and 'impulso' (impulse). All these words share the common thread of pushing, beating, or driving force from the same Latin root. 'Pulso' specifically refers to the beating of the heart, while 'impulso' refers to a sudden urge or drive to do something.

English speakers might recognize the connection to words like 'pulse', 'pulsate', 'impulse', and 'propulsion', all of which come from the same Latin root 'pellere'. The word 'pulse' refers to the rhythmic beating of the heart, while 'impulse' refers to a sudden urge or driving force, maintaining the original notion of pushing or driving from the Latin. 'Propulsion' combines 'pro-' (forward) with the same root to mean forward driving force.