'proenzymatic' originates from Modern English formation combining 'proenzyme' and the adjectival suffix '-atic', where 'pro-' meant 'before' (Greek) and 'enzyme' ultimately meant 'leaven' or 'ferment' from Greek 'enzymon'.

'proenzymatic' developed by adding the suffix '-atic' to 'proenzyme' (a compound formed from Greek 'pro-' + 'enzyme') in modern scientific English; 'enzyme' entered English via French/Neo-Latin from Greek 'enzymon'.

Initially it referred specifically to properties or states 'relating to a proenzyme (an inactive precursor)'; over time it has remained a technical adjective used to describe molecules or activities associated with proenzymes.