'fibrinolysis' originates from Neo-Latin, specifically the compound 'fibrinolysis', where 'fibrin-' referred to 'fibrin (a protein that forms the fibrous mesh of a blood clot)' and '-lysis' meant 'loosening, dissolution'.

'fibrin' comes from Late Latin 'fibra' meaning 'fiber' and ultimately from Greek roots, while '-lysis' is from Greek 'lysis' (λύσις) meaning 'a loosening or release'; these elements were combined in Neo-Latin to form 'fibrinolysis', which entered modern medical English in the 20th century.

Initially, the components implied a general 'loosening or dissolution of fibers', but over time the term became specialized to mean the enzymatic dissolution of fibrin in blood clots.