'antituberculotic' is formed from the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek anti- 'against') + 'tubercul-' (from Latin 'tuberculum' 'small swelling, tubercle') + the adjectival suffix '-otic' (from Greek '-ōtikos', via Latin/French).

'tuberculum' (Latin) gave rise to the English 'tubercle' and the combining form 'tubercul-' used in medical terms; combined with 'anti-' and the suffix '-otic' the modern technical coinage 'antituberculotic' emerged in English usage in medical contexts.

Originally the parts signified 'against' + 'tubercle' + adjectival quality; over time the coined term has come to mean specifically 'acting against tuberculosis' or 'relating to agents that prevent/treat tuberculosis.'