'obliterable' originates from Latin, specifically the verb 'obliterare' (from 'ob-' + 'littera'), where 'ob-' meant 'against' or 'over' and 'littera' meant 'letter' or 'writing'.

'obliterare' (Latin) passed into Medieval/Old French as forms like 'obliterer' and into Middle English as 'obliteren'/'obliterate', and the English adjective 'obliterable' developed from the verb 'obliterate'.

Initially it referred specifically to blotting out letters or writing ('to wipe out writing'); over time the sense broadened to general removal or destruction, giving the modern meaning 'capable of being completely destroyed or erased'.