'anti-proteolysis' originates from Modern English as a compound of the prefix 'anti-' and the noun 'proteolysis'. The prefix 'anti-' comes from Greek 'anti-' meaning 'against', and 'proteolysis' comes from Greek components 'proteo-' (relating to 'protein') + 'lysis' meaning 'loosening' or 'dissolution'.

'proteolysis' was formed in scientific usage from Greek roots ('proteo-' + 'lysis') in the 19th century as a technical term for protein breakdown; 'anti-' has been used in English since classical/medieval borrowings from Greek/Latin to form oppositional compounds. These elements combined in Modern English to form the compound 'anti-proteolysis'.

Initially the Greek roots described 'dissolution/loosening of proteins'; over time 'proteolysis' became the technical term for enzymatic protein breakdown, and 'anti-proteolysis' has come to mean specifically the prevention or inhibition of that biochemical process.