'apostematous' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'apostema', where 'apo-' meant 'away' and the Greek root 'stēma' (from 'histēmi') related to 'a standing or placing' and was used for an abscess.

'apostematous' changed from the New Latin word 'apostema' (used in Medieval Latin as 'apostema') and entered early modern medical English as the adjective 'apostematous'.

Initially, it meant 'pertaining to an apostema or abscess', and over time it has retained this medical meaning of 'having or relating to an abscess.'