'antiperspirant' originates from Greek and Latin: from the Greek prefix 'anti' (specifically 'anti', meaning 'against') and from the Latin verb 'perspirare' (specifically 'perspirare'), where 'per-' meant 'through' and 'spirare' meant 'to breathe', plus the suffix '-ant' from Latin used to form adjectives/nouns.

'antiperspirant' was formed in modern English by combining the prefix 'anti-' with the verb 'perspire' (from Latin 'perspirare') and the adjectival suffix '-ant', resulting in the modern English word 'antiperspirant'.

Initially the Latin 'perspirare' meant 'to breathe through'; over time 'perspire' came to mean 'to emit moisture/sweat', and 'antiperspirant' developed to mean 'a substance that prevents or reduces perspiration'.