'androgen-enhancing' originates from Modern English, composed of 'androgen' and 'enhancing'. 'Androgen' comes from Greek roots 'andr-' meaning 'man' and the element '-gen' meaning 'producer' or 'that which generates'. 'Enhancing' derives from Old French enhauncer (Middle English enhauncen) ultimately built on Latin elements related to 'altus' meaning 'high' and the prefix 'en-' meaning 'in' or 'make'.

'androgen' was coined in scientific usage in the early 20th century by combining the combining form 'andro-' (from Greek 'anēr, andros' meaning 'man') with '-gen' (from Greek 'genos/gennan' meaning 'to produce'); 'enhance' entered English via Old French 'enhauncer' and Middle English 'enhauncen', and the compound adjective 'androgen-enhancing' arose in modern medical and biochemical contexts to describe substances or actions that increase androgen effects.

Initially, components referred to 'male-producing' ('androgen') and 'making higher' ('enhance'); together, the compound came to mean specifically 'causing an increase in androgen levels or androgenic effects' in contemporary biomedical usage.