'anovulant' originates from New Latin/modern medical coinage, combining the prefix 'an-' (from Greek, meaning 'without') with 'ovulant' (from Latin 'ovulum' meaning 'small egg' or 'ovum' meaning 'egg').

'anovulant' formed in modern medical English from 'anovulation' (an- + ovulation). 'Ovulation' itself derives from Latin 'ovulum'/'ovum' ('egg'), and 'ovulate' developed in scientific usage before yielding related terms like 'anovulation' and 'anovulant.'

Initially coined to denote 'causing absence of ovulation' in medical contexts; this core meaning has remained stable and still refers to substances or conditions that prevent ovulation.