'antirheumatic' originates from a combination of the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'antí' meaning 'against') and 'rheumatic' (relating to rheumatism), ultimately built in modern New Latin/English.

'rheumatic' comes from Latin/Medieval Latin 'rheumatismus', which in turn derives from Greek 'rheuma' meaning 'that which flows' or 'a discharge'. The adjective 'rheumatic' developed in English from 'rheumatism', and the compound 'antirheumatic' was formed in modern English by adding 'anti-'.

Originally the Greek root 'rheuma' referred to a bodily 'flow' or discharge; over time it came to denote a set of musculoskeletal disorders described as rheumatism. 'Antirheumatic' therefore evolved to mean 'acting against rheumatism' or 'intended to treat rheumatic conditions'.