'phagocyte' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'phagein,' where 'phago-' meant 'to eat' and '-cyte' meant 'cell.'

'phagocyte' was derived from the Greek word 'phagocytos,' and eventually became the modern English word 'phagocyte.'

Initially, it meant 'a cell that eats,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.