'androgen-depriving' is formed from the noun 'androgen' and the present participle 'depriving' (from the verb 'deprive'). 'Androgen' originates from Greek elements: 'andr(o)-' (from Greek 'andrós') meaning 'man' and '-gen' (from Greek 'gennan'/'gen') meaning 'to produce; to generate'. 'Deprive' originates from Latin 'deprivare', where the prefix 'de-' meant 'away, off' and 'privare' meant 'to rob or bereave'.

'androgen' entered modern scientific English via New Latin/modern coinage from Greek roots ('andr-' + '-gen'). 'Deprive' passed into English via Old French/Anglo-Norman forms from Latin 'deprivare'; the compound adjective came into use in modern English by combining the noun and the present participle to describe actions or properties. Together they formed the descriptive compound 'androgen-depriving' used in medical contexts.

Originally, the components referred separately to 'male (man)-producing' (androgen) and 'to remove or rob' (deprive). Over time the compound evolved into a technical adjective meaning 'causing removal or suppression of androgens', specifically referring to therapies or processes that lower androgen levels.