'anti-hunting' originates from Greek and Old English; specifically the prefix 'anti-' from Greek 'anti' meaning 'against', combined with 'hunting' derived from Old English 'huntian' meaning 'to chase or hunt'.

'hunting' comes from Old English 'huntian' (to chase, capture game) and evolved into Middle English 'hunten' and modern English 'hunt'; the productive prefix 'anti-' (from Greek via Latin and French) was later combined with the modern English noun to form the compound 'anti-hunting'.

Initially, the elements meant 'against' + 'to hunt'; over time the compound has been used to denote opposition to the practice of hunting or those who oppose it, a meaning that has remained consistent since its formation.