'retroclusion' originates from Latin, specifically the prefix 'retro-' meaning 'back' and the verb root 'occludere'/'occlusio' (from Latin 'occludere'/'claudere') meaning 'to shut' or 'to close'.

'retroclusion' was formed in English by combining the Latin prefix 'retro-' with Late Latin/Medieval Latin elements 'occlusio'/'occludere' (from 'claudere'), producing a compound meaning 'backward closure'; this produced the modern technical term 'retroclusion'.

Initially the components conveyed the literal idea of 'shutting/closing toward the back'; over time the compound became specialized in technical and medical contexts (notably dentistry) to denote a posterior occlusion or backward displacement.