Origin: 1400–50; late Middle English < Late Latin invectīvus abusive, equivalent to Latin invect(us) (past participle of invehī to attack with words, inveigh) + -īvus-ive
1523, from a M.E. adj. (1430), "characterized by denunciatory language," from L.L. invectivus "abusive," from L. invectus, pp. of invehi "to attack with words" (see inveigh). For nuances of usage, see humor.