'ovulation-inhibitory' originates from Latin (via New Latin and English compounding): from Latin 'ovulatio' (from 'ovum') where 'ovum' meant 'egg', and Latin 'inhibere' where 'in-' meant 'in'/'on' and 'hibere' meant 'to hold back'.

'ovulation' came into English from New Latin 'ovulatio' (from Latin), and 'inhibere' produced Late Latin forms (e.g. 'inhibitorius') that entered English as 'inhibit' -> 'inhibitory'; the compound 'ovulation-inhibitory' is a modern English formation combining these elements.

Initially, 'ovulation' referred broadly to the bearing or release of eggs and 'inhibitory' meant tending to hold back; over time the compound came to be used specifically in medical contexts to mean 'tending to prevent ovulation'.