'hyposalivation' originates from Greek and Latin elements: the Greek prefix 'hypo-' (from Greek 'hypo') meaning 'under, below' combined with the Latin-derived word 'saliva' meaning 'spit, saliva', plus the English noun-forming suffix '-ation'.

'hyposalivation' was formed in modern medical English by prefixing 'hypo-' to the existing English word 'salivation' (which itself derives from Latin 'saliva' and the noun-forming suffix), producing the term used to denote decreased salivary secretion.

Initially constructed to mean 'under-salivation' literally, it has come to be used in clinical contexts to mean 'reduced or deficient saliva production' with associated clinical implications.