'hypersalivation' originates from a combination of Greek and Latin elements: Greek 'hyper-' meaning 'over, excessive' and Latin 'saliva' meaning 'spittle' (with the noun-forming English suffix '-ation').

'saliva' is from Latin 'saliva' meaning 'spittle'; the medical noun 'salivation' developed in Late Latin/modern English as 'salivatio'/'salivation'. The combining prefix 'hyper-' (Greek 'hyper') was attached to form the modern compound 'hypersalivation' in medical English.

Initially built as a straightforward compound meaning 'excessive salivation'; this core meaning has been maintained in medical usage, referring specifically to abnormal or clinically significant excess saliva production.