ETYMOLOGY
from Latin petulcus (butting, wanton, frisky)
EXAMPLE
“…I do therefore much blame the petulcity of whatsoever author that should dare to impute a popish affection to him, whom, besides his excellent writings and sermons, God’s visible, eminent, and resplendent graces of illumination, zeal, piety, and eloquence have made truly honourable and glorious in the Church of Christ…”
From: The Works of the Right Reverend Joseph Hall, 1837
Letter to Joseph Hall from Thomas Morton, 1628
Lexicophilia 