'balneology' originates from Modern Latin, specifically the word 'balneologia', where 'balneum' (from Greek 'balaneion') meant 'bath' and the suffix '-logia' (from Greek 'logos') meant 'study'.

'balneology' changed from the Greek word 'balaneion' to the Latin 'balneum', then to Medieval/Modern Latin 'balneologia', and eventually became the modern English word 'balneology'.

Initially, it referred to 'bath' or 'bath-house', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'the scientific study of therapeutic bathing and mineral springs'.