'bacteriocin' originates from New Latin/modern scientific formation: 'bacterio-' (from Greek 'bakterion' meaning 'little rod') + the suffix '-cin' (a formation element found in words like 'toxin', used to denote a biologically active substance).

'bacterion' (Greek 'bakterion') gave rise to Latin/Modern Latin 'bacterium'; in the 20th century scientists formed 'bacteriocin' to name antibacterial proteinaceous substances produced by bacteria, and this term entered English scientific usage.

Initially the element referred broadly to bacteria or bacterial products; over time 'bacteriocin' came to mean specifically proteinaceous antibacterial substances produced by bacteria to inhibit related strains.