The Spanish verb 'transitar' (meaning 'to transit' or 'to pass through') comes from the Latin verb 'transitare', which was a frequentative form meaning 'to pass through repeatedly'. This Latin verb was derived from 'transitus' meaning 'passage', which in turn came from the verb 'transire' meaning 'to go across'. The verb 'transire' itself was formed by combining two Latin elements: the prefix 'trans-' meaning 'across' and the verb 'ire' meaning 'to go'.

This etymology shows how the basic concept of 'going across' evolved into a more specific meaning of passing through or moving along a path, with the frequentative form emphasizing the repeated or habitual nature of the movement.

Several common Spanish words share this etymology with 'transitar', including 'tránsito' (traffic, transit), 'transitorio' (temporary, transitory), and 'transición' (transition). All these words carry the core meaning of movement or passage from one state or place to another.

English speakers can easily connect 'transitar' with several familiar English words that share the same Latin roots, such as 'transit', 'transition', 'transitory', and even the prefix 'trans-' as used in words like 'transport' or 'transfer'. All these words maintain the basic concept of movement across or through something.