'deamination' originates from English, specifically formed from the prefix 'de-' combined with 'amine' (from French 'amine', ultimately from 'ammonia'), where 'de-' meant 'removal' and 'amine' referred to compounds derived from ammonia.

'deamination' developed from the verb 'deaminate' (a formation combining 'de-' + 'amine') in the 19th century when chemical nomenclature expanded; the noun 'deamination' arose from that verb to name the corresponding reaction or process.

Initially it referred specifically to the chemical removal of an amine group (derived from ammonia) and over time has retained that core meaning in biochemical contexts.