'acetylsalicylate' originates from 'acetylsalicylic acid', where 'acetyl' refers to the acetyl group and 'salicylate' refers to the salt or ester of salicylic acid.

'acetylsalicylic acid' was synthesized in the late 19th century and became known as 'aspirin'. The term 'acetylsalicylate' refers to its salt or ester forms.

Initially, it referred to the chemical compound used for pain relief, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.