'insentience' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'insentientia,' where 'in-' meant 'not' and 'sentientia' meant 'feeling or perception.'

'insentientia' transformed into the French word 'insentience,' and eventually became the modern English word 'insentience' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'lack of feeling or perception,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.