'exocrine' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'exōkrinis,' where 'exō-' meant 'outside' and 'krinein' meant 'to separate.'

'exōkrinis' transformed into the modern English word 'exocrine' through scientific Latin.

Initially, it meant 'to separate outside,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'relating to glands that secrete externally.'