pulse Etymology

http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=pulse&allowed_in_frame=0

pulse (1)

"a throb, a beat," early 14c., from O.Fr. pous (late 12c.), from L.pulsus (in pulsus venarum "beating from the blood in the veins"), pp. of pellere "to push, drive," from PIE *pel- "to shake, swing" (cf. Gk.pallein "to weild, brandish, swing," pelemizein "to shake, cause to tremble"). The verb meaning "to beat, throb" is first attested 1550s.

pulse (2)

"peas, beans, lentils," c.1300, from O.Fr. pols, from L. puls "thick gruel," probably via Etruscan, from Gk. poltos "porridge."