'Push' is cousin to 'pulse,' 'propel,' 'compel,' and 'expel' — all from Latin 'pellere' (to drive).
To exert force on something so as to move it away from oneself or to a different position; to press forward.
From Middle English 'pusshen,' borrowed from Old French 'pousser' (to push, thrust, press), from Latin 'pulsāre' (to beat, strike, push repeatedly), the frequentative form of 'pellere' (to drive, strike, push). The PIE root is *pelh₂- (to drive, push, strike). English thus borrowed its primary word for pushing from French, replacing or supplementing native Old English verbs like 'scūfan' (to shove) and
'Push' is secretly related to 'pulse,' 'propel,' 'compel,' 'expel,' and 'repeal' — all from Latin 'pellere' (to drive, strike). Your pulse is your blood being 'pushed' through your arteries. The sh in 'push' reflects French pronunciation of the Latin -ls- cluster, a sound shift that also