'antivariolic' originates from the combining prefix 'anti-' (from Greek anti- meaning 'against') plus 'variolic', which relates to New Latin 'variola' meaning 'smallpox'.

'antivariolic' arose in English formation by combining 'anti-' with Latin-derived 'variola' (through New Latin/medical usage). The element 'variola' (Latin) referred to smallpox and gave rise to English forms such as 'variolous' and 'variolic', to which the prefix 'anti-' was attached.

Initially formed to mean 'against variola (smallpox)' in medical contexts; the core meaning has remained essentially the same, denoting protective or preventive qualities with respect to smallpox.