'endocrine-disrupting' is a compound built from 'endocrine' and the present participle of 'disrupt'. 'endocrine' ultimately traces to Greek elements 'endon' (meaning 'within') and 'krinein' (meaning 'to separate' or 'to secrete') via New Latin/Modern Latin 'endocrinus'; 'disrupt' comes from Latin 'disrumpere' (from 'dis-' meaning 'apart' + 'rumpere' meaning 'to break').

'endocrine' was formed in New Latin/Modern scientific usage in the 19th–20th centuries (related to 'endocrinology'); 'disrupt' entered English from Latin 'disrumpere' (via Late Latin/Old French influences) and developed into the modern verb 'disrupt'; the compound 'endocrine-disrupting' emerged in scientific and regulatory contexts in the late 20th century to describe chemicals that interfere with hormonal systems.

Individually, 'endocrine' originally referred to 'secreting within' and 'disrupt' to 'break apart'; together as 'endocrine-disrupting' the phrase came to mean 'causing disturbance to internal hormonal signaling and regulation'—a specialized toxicological/scientific meaning that developed with modern endocrine research.