'asthma' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'ἄσθμα' (transliterated 'asthma'), where the root meant 'panting, shortness of breath'.

'asthma' passed into Latin as 'asthma', then into Middle English (attested forms such as 'asme' or 'asma'), and eventually became the modern English word 'asthma'.

Initially, it meant 'panting or short-drawn breath', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a chronic respiratory condition characterized by airway inflammation and episodic breathing difficulty'.