'seizure-inducing' originates from modern English as a compound of the noun 'seizure' and the present-participial form 'inducing' (from the verb 'induce'). 'seizure' ultimately comes via Old French 'seisir'/'saisir' (to take hold) from Vulgar Latin *saciāre meaning 'to take possession', and 'induce' comes from Latin 'inducere' where 'in-' meant 'into' and 'ducere' meant 'to lead'.

'seizure' changed from Old French 'seisir'/'saisir' into Middle English forms such as 'seisen'/'sezeren' and eventually became the modern English 'seizure'. 'induce' derives from Latin 'inducere' (in- + ducere) and entered English through French/Latin-mediated forms; the present-participle 'inducing' combines with nouns in modern English to form compounds like 'seizure-inducing'.

Initially, roots related to 'seize' meant 'to take or grasp' and 'induce' meant 'to lead into'; over time the compound came to mean specifically 'causing seizures' (i.e., provoking convulsive or epileptic events).