'aposthia' originates from Greek, specifically from a formation based on the prefix 'a-' meaning 'without' and the element 'posthē' (posthion) meaning 'foreskin'.

'aposthia' passed into medical Latin usage and later appeared in modern medical English literature to denote the congenital absence of the prepuce.

Initially it referred to the literal absence of the foreskin and has retained that specialized medical meaning in modern usage.