'neutrophil-associated' originates from Modern English, formed by combining 'neutrophil' and the past-participle/adjectival form 'associated'. 'Neutrophil' itself comes from New Latin 'neutrophilus' (from Greek/Neo-Latin elements meaning 'neutral' + 'loving' referring to neutral-staining granules), and 'associated' derives from Latin 'associare' (ad- + socius, 'companion').

'neutrophil' was coined in the late 19th century from New Latin 'neutrophilus' (from Greek-derived elements meaning 'neutral' + 'loving'). 'Associate' comes from Latin 'associare' → Old French 'associer' → Middle English 'associate'; the compound adjective 'neutrophil-associated' is a modern English formation combining the cell-name and a past-participle adjective to indicate linkage.

Individually, 'neutrophil' originally named cells identifiable by neutral-staining granules and 'associate' meant 'to join or connect with'. Together in modern usage the compound evolved to mean 'connected with or characteristic of neutrophils', used especially in biomedical contexts.