'antituberculous' originates from Modern English, formed from the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti-' meaning 'against') + 'tuberculous', which ultimately derives from Latin 'tuberculum' meaning 'a small swelling'.

'tuberculous' developed from Latin 'tuberculosus' (from 'tuberculum'), passed into medieval and modern usage as 'tubercle' and 'tuberculous' in English; 'antituberculous' was later formed in modern English by adding 'anti-' to 'tuberculous'.

Initially related to 'tubercles' (small swellings); over time the terms came to be associated with the disease tuberculosis, and 'antituberculous' evolved to mean 'acting against tuberculosis'.