'amoebiasis' originates from the Greek word 'amoibē,' meaning 'change,' and the suffix '-iasis,' indicating a disease or condition.

'Amoibē' transformed into the modern English word 'amoebiasis' through Latin and New Latin adaptations.

Initially, it referred to any condition caused by amoebas, but now it specifically refers to infections by Entamoeba histolytica.