'enteritis' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'enteron', where 'enter-' meant 'intestine', and the suffix '-itis' comes from Greek '-itis' meaning 'inflammation'.

'enteritis' entered English via New Latin/Medieval Latin 'enteritis', formed from Greek 'enteron' + '-itis', and eventually became the modern English word 'enteritis'.

Initially, it meant 'inflammation of the intestine', and this basic meaning has remained in modern usage.