'antiputrefaction' originates from a combination of Greek and Latin: the prefix 'anti-' (Greek) combined with the Latin word 'putrefactio', where 'anti-' meant 'against' and the Latin root 'putre-' (from 'puter') meant 'rotten'.

'putrefactio' (Latin) gave rise to Old French/Medieval Latin forms such as 'putrefaccion/putrefaction', which entered Middle English as 'putrefaction'; attaching the Greek-derived prefix 'anti-' to that established the modern compound 'antiputrefaction'.

Initially it literally meant 'against rotting' and over time has been used to denote substances or processes serving to prevent putrefaction; the basic sense ('prevents rot') has been largely retained.