'choleretic' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'cholereticus', where the Greek root 'chole-' meant 'bile' and the suffix '-etic' (from Greek '-ētikos') meant 'pertaining to'.

'choleretic' changed from the New Latin word 'cholereticus' (from Greek 'cholerētikos') and was adopted into English with the form 'choleretic'.

Initially, it meant 'pertaining to bile' or 'relating to bile'; over time it came to be used specifically for substances or properties that 'promote or increase bile secretion.'