'proinflammatory' originates from Latin elements: the prefix 'pro-' (from Latin 'pro', meaning 'for' or 'forward') combined with 'inflammatory', ultimately from Latin 'inflammare' meaning 'to set on fire'.

'inflammare' in Latin gave rise to Late Latin 'inflammatio' (a setting on fire, inflammation), which passed into Medieval/Old French and Middle English as forms of 'inflame'/'inflammation'; the adjective 'inflammatory' was formed with the Latin-derived suffix '-ory', and in modern scientific usage the prefix 'pro-' was combined with 'inflammatory' to form 'proinflammatory' to indicate 'promoting inflammation'.

Initially the root sense was literally 'to set on fire' (physical burning); over time the sense shifted metaphorically and medically to mean 'to cause or promote inflammation', and 'proinflammatory' now specifically describes agents or responses that promote inflammation.