'phytophage' originates from Modern Latin, specifically the word 'phytophage', where the prefix 'phyto-' came from Greek 'phyton' meaning 'plant' and the suffix '-phage' came from Greek 'phagein' meaning 'to eat'.

'phytophage' derives from Greek elements 'phyton' + 'phagein'; these formed Late Latin/Medieval Latin compounds (e.g. 'phytophagous' in Latinized form) and entered Modern Latin/English scientific usage as 'phytophage'.

Initially it meant 'plant-eater' in the literal, biological sense, and this basic meaning has been preserved into modern scientific usage.