'arteriospasm' originates from New Latin/medical formation combining the combining form 'arterio-' (from Greek 'arteria', 'artery') and 'spasm' (from Greek 'spasmos', 'drawing, convulsion').

'arteriospasm' was formed in medical usage by joining 'arterio-' (a combining form used in New Latin and modern medical English) with the English word 'spasm'; the elements trace back through Latin/Greek roots rather than passing through a distinct medieval English form.

Initially the roots referred more generally to 'artery' and 'convulsive drawing'; over time the compound came to denote specifically a sudden constriction of an artery reducing blood flow.