'anticatarrhic' originates from Greek/Neo-Latin, specifically from Greek elements 'anti-' and 'katarrhein' (via Late Latin/Medieval Latin), where 'anti-' meant 'against' and 'katarrhein' meant 'to flow down (referring to mucous discharge)'.

'anticatarrhic' changed from Medieval/Neo-Latin 'anticatarrhicus' (formed from 'anti-' + Latinized 'catarrhus') and eventually became the modern English word 'anticatarrhic'.

Initially, it meant 'against the flowing down (of mucus)', and over time it evolved into the current meaning of 'preventing or relieving catarrh (excess mucus in the airways)'.