'antiputrefactive' originates from the combining of the Greek prefix 'anti-' meaning 'against' and the Latin-derived element 'putrefactive' (from Latin 'putrefacere' / 'putrefact-'), where 'putre-'/ 'putrefac-' related to 'to rot' or 'to make rotten'.

'putrefactive' developed from Latin 'putrefactivus' (related to 'putrefacere') into English as 'putrefactive'; the modern compound 'antiputrefactive' was formed in English by prefixing 'anti-' to this adjective to express opposition to putrefaction.

Initially built to mean 'against causing putrefaction' or 'acting against rot'; it is used in modern English to mean 'preventing or inhibiting putrefaction' (essentially the same core sense, applied descriptively).