'animalistic' originates from the word 'animal,' which comes from Latin 'animalis,' meaning 'having breath' or 'living being.'

'animalis' transformed into the Old French word 'animal,' and eventually became the modern English word 'animal.' The suffix '-istic' was added to form 'animalistic.'

Initially, it meant 'pertaining to living beings,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'resembling animals in a physical or instinctive way.'