'autoregulative' originates from a combination of Greek and Latin, specifically the Greek word 'autos' where 'autos' meant 'self', and the Latin verb 'regulare' (from 'regula') where 'regula' meant 'rule'.

'autoregulative' was formed in modern English by combining the prefix 'auto-' (from Greek 'autos') with 'regulative' (from Latin 'regulare'). The root 'regula' passed into Old French as 'reguler' and into Middle English as 'regulen', later becoming the modern English verb 'regulate' and the adjective-forming element 'regulative'.

Initially, the parts meant 'self' (auto-) and 'to make regular' (regulate); over time the combined term has come to mean 'having the ability to regulate itself' or 'characterized by self-regulation'.