'hormone-disrupting' is a modern English compound formed from 'hormone' and the present participle 'disrupting' (from 'disrupt'). 'hormone' was coined in the early 20th century from Greek 'hormōn', and 'disrupt' derives from Latin roots meaning 'to break apart'.

'hormone-disrupting' arose in late 20th century scientific and regulatory usage as concern over chemicals that interfere with endocrine function grew; 'hormone' was coined in modern medical English (c. 1905) from Greek 'hormōn', and 'disrupt' comes from Latin 'disrumpere' (from 'dis-' + 'rumpere' meaning 'to break') and entered English through later medieval/modern forms.

Initially, roots related to 'disrupt' meant 'to break apart' physically, but over time the sense broadened to 'interfere with or interrupt a normal process'; combined with 'hormone' the compound now means 'interfering with hormonal (endocrine) function'.