'autonomic' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'autonomos', where 'autos' meant 'self' and 'nomos' meant 'law' or 'management'. The adverb 'autonomically' is formed by adding the suffix '-ally' to 'autonomic'.

'autonomos' entered New Latin as 'autonomicus' and then Middle/Modern Latin and English medical usage as 'autonomic'; the adverbial form 'autonomically' developed later by adding the English adverbial suffix '-ally' to the adjective 'autonomic'.

Initially it meant 'self-governing' or 'having its own laws', but over time it evolved to commonly refer to the 'autonomic nervous system' and functions that are 'self-regulating' or 'involuntary', which is the usual sense in modern English.