'autocytolysis' originates from Greek combining forms: 'auto-' meaning 'self', 'cyto-' meaning 'cell', and 'lysis' meaning 'loosening' or 'dissolution'.

'autocytolysis' was formed in modern scientific/medical English by combining the Greek-derived elements 'auto-', 'cyto-' and 'lysis' (via New Latin/Modern scientific coinage) to describe self-digestion of cells.

Initially coined to denote the process of 'cell dissolution by its own enzymes' and it has retained this specialized meaning in modern biological and medical usage.