'antemetic' originates from Modern Latin, specifically the word 'antiemeticus', where 'anti-' meant 'against' and 'emesis' meant 'vomiting'.

'antemetic' changed from Greek 'emētikos' (via Late Latin 'antiemetĭcus'/'antiemeticus') and eventually became the modern English word 'antemetic'.

Initially, it meant 'against vomiting', and over time this has remained the core meaning, now applied specifically to drugs or measures that prevent nausea and vomiting.