'adrenaline' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'adrenalis,' where 'ad-' meant 'toward' and 'renalis' meant 'kidney.'

'adrenalis' transformed into the French word 'adrénaline,' and eventually became the modern English word 'adrenaline' through scientific terminology.

Initially, it referred to a substance produced by the adrenal glands, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.