'cholagogue' originates from Greek, specifically the elements 'chole' and 'agogos', where 'chole' meant 'bile' and 'agogos' meant 'leading' or 'bringing'.

'cholagogue' entered English via Medieval/ New Latin (e.g. Latin 'cholagogus'), and the form eventually stabilized in modern English as 'cholagogue'.

Initially it literally implied 'leading away bile' (the idea of moving or discharging bile); over time it came to refer specifically to a substance or agent that promotes the discharge of bile.