'postprandial' originates from Latin, specifically the elements 'post-' and 'prandium', where 'post-' meant 'after' and 'prandium' meant 'meal'.

'postprandial' comes from Medieval/Neo-Latin formation based on Latin 'post prandium' (literally 'after a meal') and entered English as the adjective 'postprandial'; the adverb 'postprandially' was later formed by adding the adverbial suffix '-ly'.

Initially it meant 'after a meal' in Latin usage, and over time it retained that core meaning in English, now used in medical and formal contexts as 'occurring after eating'.