'autolysate' originates from Greek elements (via New/Modern Latin), specifically from 'auto-' from Greek 'autos' meaning 'self' and 'lysis' from Greek 'lysis' meaning 'loosening, dissolving', with the English suffix '-ate' forming a noun meaning 'product of'.

'autolysate' was formed from the noun 'autolysis' (New Latin/modern formation from Greek 'autos' + 'lysis') by adding the suffix '-ate' (from Latin/English usage) to denote the product or result; thus 'autolysis' -> 'autolysate'.

Initially the components referred to the process 'autolysis' (self-digestion); over time the compounded form 'autolysate' came to denote specifically the material or product resulting from that process.