'breathwise' originates from English, specifically the combination of the noun 'breath' and the suffix '-wise', where 'breath' meant 'a supply of air taken into the lungs' and '-wise' meant 'in relation to' or 'with respect to'.

'breathwise' was formed in Modern English by affixing the Old English-derived suffix '-wise' (from Old English 'wīs', meaning 'manner' or 'way') to the noun 'breath'; the suffix '-wise' developed into a productive element for creating adverbial phrases meaning 'in the manner/respect of X'.

Initially the components conveyed a literal 'manner of breath'; over time the compound has been used more narrowly to mean 'with regard to breathing' or 'in terms of respiration'.