means Applying steady force or weight to flatten, smooth, or shape something — or, figuratively, an urgent matter that demands immediate attention.

from From Old French 'presser' and ultimately Latin 'pressare,' a frequentative of 'premere' meaning 'to press, squeeze.' The same Latin root pushes its way into 'pressure,' 'express,' and 'compress.' The sense of 'urgent' grew from the physical one — a pressing need is one that bears down on you, weight you can't ignore, just as a press bears down on cloth or grape.