'pruritogenic' originates from New Latin/modern medical coinage, combining the Latin word 'pruritus' (meaning 'itch', from 'prurire' 'to itch') and the Greek-derived suffix '-genic' (from Greek 'gen-'/'-genēs' meaning 'producing' or 'originating').

'pruritogenic' was formed in modern medical English by combining 'pruritus' and the productive suffix '-genic'; related earlier medical/Latin forms include 'pruritus' and the adjective 'pruritic', and the coinage evolved into terms such as 'pruritogen' and 'pruritogenic' in clinical usage.

Initially associated directly with 'pruritus' (the state of itching), the formed adjective has retained that specific meaning and is used to describe substances or conditions that produce or provoke itching.