'bronchitis' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'bronkhos,' where 'bronch-' meant 'windpipe' and '-itis' meant 'inflammation.'

'bronkhos' transformed into the Latin word 'bronchus,' and eventually became the modern English word 'bronchitis' through medical terminology.

Initially, it meant 'inflammation of the windpipe,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.