'aperistalsis' originates from Greek, specifically built from the prefix 'a-' (Greek ἀ-) meaning 'not' and the word 'peristalsis' (from Greek 'peristaltēsis'), where 'peri-' meant 'around' and the root related to 'stallein' meant 'to constrict or roll'.

'aperistalsis' was formed in New Latin/medical terminology by prefixing Greek-derived 'a-' to 'peristalsis' and was adopted into English usage in medical contexts with essentially the same form.

Initially coined to denote the lack of peristaltic motion in a tubular organ, the term's meaning has remained stable and continues to refer specifically to absence of peristalsis.