transitive (adj.)

1570s, in grammar, of verbs, "taking a direct object," 1570s (implied in transitively), from Late Latin transitivus (Priscian) "transitive," literally "passing over (to another person)," from transire "cross over, go over, pass over, hasten over, pass away," from trans "across, beyond" (see trans-) + ire "to go" (from PIE root *ei- "to go").

In the general sense of "having the power of passing into something, characterized by or involving transition" in any sense, by 1610s. As a noun, "a transitive verb," by 1610s. Related: Transitiveness; transitivity.