'prognostic' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'prognōstikos,' where 'pro-' meant 'before' and 'gnōstikos' meant 'knowing.'

'prognōstikos' transformed into the Latin word 'prognosticus,' and eventually became the modern English word 'prognostic' through Old French.

Initially, it meant 'foretelling or predicting,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.