'arsenicism' originates from English, specifically formed from the noun 'arsenic' plus the suffix '-ism' (which denotes a condition or practice).

'arsenic' changed from Medieval Latin word 'arsenicum', which in turn comes from Ancient Greek 'arsenikon' (referring to the mineral orpiment). The Modern English word 'arsenic' developed through these stages, and 'arsenicism' was later formed in English as a derivative meaning the condition related to arsenic.

Initially, the Greek term referred to the mineral orpiment ('a yellow arsenic sulfide'); over time the meaning shifted to the element 'arsenic' and then extended to the idea of poisoning by arsenic. 'Arsenicism' evolved to denote the condition of arsenic poisoning.