'arthrosis' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'arthrōsis', where 'arthr-'/'arthro-' meant 'joint' and '-osis' meant 'disease or condition'.

'arthrosis' changed from the Greek word 'arthrōsis' into New Latin/Medical Latin 'arthrosis' and was adopted into modern English medical terminology as 'arthrosis' (plural 'arthroses').

Initially it meant 'a condition of the joint' in general; over time it has come to denote specifically degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis) in medical usage.