'bronchospasm-inducing' originates from Modern English as a compound of 'bronchospasm' + 'inducing'; 'bronchospasm' itself is formed from the elements 'broncho-' (relating to the bronchi) and 'spasm' (a sudden involuntary contraction), while 'inducing' is the present participle of 'induce' (to cause or bring about).

'bronchospasm' comes into English via New Latin 'bronchospasmus', from Greek 'bronchos' ('windpipe, bronchus') + 'spasmos' ('a drawing or contraction'); 'inducing' derives from Latin 'inducere' ('lead into, bring on') via Old French/Latin developments and Middle English participial formation, producing the modern English 'induce' and its present-participle form 'inducing'.

The compound's components originally meant 'bronchial contraction' and 'to lead or cause'; combined as a modern medical adjective they retain the straightforward meaning 'causing bronchial spasm' with little semantic shift beyond conventional medical usage.