'auxometer' originates from Greek, specifically the combining form 'auxo-' from 'auxein' meaning 'to increase', and the suffix '-meter' from Greek 'metron' meaning 'measure'.

'auxometer' is a modern scientific coinage formed by joining the Greek combining form 'auxo-' (from 'auxein') with the Greek-derived suffix '-meter' (from 'metron'); related technical variants such as 'auxanometer' have also appeared in scientific literature.

Initially it meant 'an instrument for measuring increase or growth', and that core meaning has been retained in modern usage as a technical term for devices that measure growth.