'satyriac' originates from Late Latin 'satyriacus', ultimately from Greek 'satyros' meaning 'satyr' (a mythological woodland figure associated with lechery).

'satyriac' passed into English via Late/Medieval Latin 'satyriacus' (and related Old French forms), and was adopted into Middle English as 'satyriac' with senses tied to satyrs and sexual excess.

Initially it meant 'pertaining to or like a satyr'; over time it came to be used of human behavior, meaning 'given to excessive sexual desire' or 'lecherous'.