'embryotoxic' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'embryon,' where 'embryo' meant 'young one' and 'toxic' from 'toxikon,' meaning 'poison.'

'embryon' combined with 'toxikon' in scientific terminology to form 'embryotoxic,' used in modern English to describe substances harmful to embryos.

Initially, it meant 'poisonous to embryos,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.