'antivenin' originates from French, specifically the word 'antivenin', where the prefix 'anti-' meant 'against' and 'venin' meant 'venom' (from Latin 'venenum' meaning 'poison').

'antivenin' was formed in the late 19th century in English usage by combining the prefix 'anti-' with the French 'venin' (from Latin 'venenum'); the English term appears as a direct borrowing/formation based on these elements and produced the plural 'antivenins'.

Initially, the term meant 'a serum that counteracts venom (poison),' and over time it has retained this specific medical meaning referring to antibody-containing preparations used to neutralize animal venoms.