'anti-tuberculin' originates from the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti-' meaning 'against') combined with 'tuberculin' (a medical coinage), where 'anti-' meant 'against' and 'tuberculin' referred to a preparation related to 'tubercle'.

'tuberculin' derives ultimately from Latin 'tuberculum' meaning 'small swelling' (via 'tubercle'); the term 'tuberculin' was coined in the 19th century in medical usage, and later combined with the prefix 'anti-' to form 'anti-tuberculin'.

Initially the components meant 'against' and 'small swelling' (via 'tubercle'); over time the combined form has come to mean specifically 'acting against or neutralizing tuberculin' in technical contexts.