'embryony' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'embryon,' where 'en-' meant 'in' and 'bryein' meant 'to swell or grow.' The English noun-forming suffix '-y' came via Old French/Latin formations.

'embryon' (Greek) passed into Late Latin and Old French as 'embryon'/'embryon-' and entered English scientific vocabulary (via New Latin and French) as 'embryo' and later as the noun-form 'embryony' in the 19th century.

Initially related to the notion of a 'young one' or 'embryo,' the term evolved to refer specifically to the process or condition of embryo formation and development in modern scientific usage.