'postoperative' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'postoperativus,' where 'post-' meant 'after' and 'operativus' meant 'operative or working.'

'postoperativus' transformed into the French word 'postopératif,' and eventually became the modern English word 'postoperative' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'after an operation,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.