'anti-scorbutic' originates from Greek and Medieval Latin, specifically the prefix 'anti-' from Greek 'anti-' meaning 'against' and Latin/Medieval Latin 'scorbutus' meaning 'scurvy'.

'anti-scorbutic' developed from formations such as Medieval Latin 'anti-scorbuticus' (literally 'against scurvy') and entered English in compounds describing agents that prevent scurvy, eventually becoming the modern English 'anti-scorbutic'.

Initially it meant 'against scurvy' in a literal medical sense, and over time it has retained that core meaning, used to describe substances or properties that prevent or treat scurvy.