'asthmatic' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'asthma', where the Greek root 'asthma' meant 'shortness of breath' or 'panting'.

'asthma' passed into Latin as 'asthma' and then into Middle English; the adjective 'asthmatic' was formed in English by adding the suffix '-tic' to the noun 'asthma'.

Initially referring specifically to the symptom of 'shortness of breath', it has long been used to denote the medical condition (asthma) and things or people pertaining to that condition; the core meaning has remained centered on breathing difficulty.