A substance or thing that increases energy, alertness, or activity in the body or mind, such as caffeine or an encouraging word.
From Latin 'stimulare' meaning 'to prick or goad' (from 'stimulus' meaning 'a pointed stick for driving oxen'), combined with the suffix '-ant' meaning 'that which does something.' It entered English in the 1600s meaning something that provokes action.
The word 'stimulant' literally comes from the idea of poking an ox with a stick to make it move—which is exactly what caffeine does to your nervous system, just with chemistry instead of physical poking!
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