'erythrolytic' originates from Greek, specifically the elements 'erythro-' from 'erythros' where 'erythros' meant 'red', and '-lytic' from Greek 'lytikos' where 'lytikos' meant 'able to loosen or dissolve'.

'erythros' combined with forms of 'lysis' and the adjective-forming suffix '-lytic' in Modern scientific coinage (via New Latin/Neo-Greek formation) to produce terms like 'erythrolysis' and the adjective 'erythrolytic'.

Initially it referred to the concept of 'loosening' or 'dissolving' (in a general Greek sense), and over time it evolved into the specific modern scientific meaning 'causing dissolution or destruction of red blood cells'.