'endocrine-interfering' originates from Modern English, formed by combining 'endocrine' and 'interfering'. 'endocrine' ultimately comes from Greek 'endon' meaning 'within' and 'krinein' meaning 'to separate' or 'to secrete'. 'interfering' is the present participle of 'interfere', which traces to Latin elements.

'endocrine' was coined in scientific Latin/Modern English in the late 19th century from Greek roots and entered common scientific usage; 'interfere' comes from Latin 'interferre' ('inter-' meaning 'between' and 'ferre' meaning 'to carry'), passed into Middle English via Old French and developed into the modern verb 'interfere'. The compound combining 'endocrine' with a participle (as in 'endocrine-disrupting'/'endocrine-interfering') is a modern English formation used in toxicology and public health.

Individually, 'interfere' initially meant 'to come or be between' and later 'to obstruct or meddle'; when joined with 'endocrine' the compound meaning became specifically 'to disturb the normal function of the hormone system'.