'antidysenterial' originates from Greek elements: 'anti-' (Greek 'anti') meaning 'against' and 'dysenteria' (Greek 'dysenteria') meaning 'dysentery', combined with the English adjectival suffix '-ial'.

'antidysenterial' developed by combining 'anti-' + 'dysenteria' (from Greek 'dysenteria') via Medieval/Latin forms (e.g. Latin 'dysenteria') and English formation patterns, following similar formations such as 'antidysenteric'; the adjective form '-ial' was appended in English to form 'antidysenterial'.

Initially coined to describe substances or measures 'against dysentery', the term has retained that specific medicinal/medical meaning into modern usage.