'enterous' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'enteron', where 'enteron' meant 'intestine', combined with the English adjectival suffix '-ous' (meaning 'having the quality of').

'enterous' was formed in modern English/New Latin as an adjective from the Greek root 'enteron' + '-ous'. It is analogous to related formations such as 'enteric' (from Greek 'enterikos') and arose through modern technical coinage rather than from a direct Old or Middle English ancestor.

Initially it simply meant 'of or pertaining to the intestine'; this technical meaning has largely remained stable and is used primarily in medical or scientific contexts.