'aptyalism' originates from Greek, specifically from the privative prefix 'a-' plus 'ptyalon', where 'a-' meant 'without' and 'ptyalon' meant 'saliva'.

'aptyalism' entered medical usage via New Latin/medical Latin (e.g. 'aptyalismus') and was borrowed into English as the modern term 'aptyalism'.

Initially it meant 'the state of being without saliva', and over time it has retained this specific medical sense referring to reduced or absent salivation.