'antiputrescent' is formed from the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'antí', meaning 'against') combined with 'putrescent' (from Latin 'putrescens', present participle of 'putrescere', meaning 'becoming rotten').

'putrescere' in Latin gave rise to Late Latin forms like 'putrescens', which entered English as 'putrescent'; the modern English adjective 'antiputrescent' was created by adding the prefix 'anti-' to 'putrescent' to indicate opposition to putrefaction.

Initially the elements meant 'against' + 'becoming rotten'; over time the combined form has come to be used specifically for substances or treatments that prevent or check putrefaction.