'pro-masking' originates from modern English coinage combining the prefix 'pro-' (from Latin 'pro', meaning 'for') and 'masking' (the gerund/verb form of 'mask').

'pro-masking' was formed in the early 21st century (notably during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic) by attaching the prefix 'pro-' to 'masking' (itself from 'mask' + '-ing'), creating a compound meaning 'for masking'.

Initially used to label or describe a position 'in favor of wearing masks' in public-health debates; the meaning has remained consistent as a descriptive label for that stance.