'febrifuge' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'febrifugus,' where 'febri-' meant 'fever' and '-fugus' meant 'fleeing or driving away.'

'febrifugus' transformed into the French word 'fébrifuge,' and eventually became the modern English word 'febrifuge' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'a substance that drives away fever,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.