'spirocheticidal' originates from the English noun 'spirochete' (from New Latin 'Spirochaeta') combined with the adjectival/agent-forming suffix '-cidal' (derived from Latin 'caedere', meaning 'to kill').

'spirochete' was coined in New Latin (late 19th century) from Greek elements 'speira' meaning 'coil' and 'khaite' meaning 'hair/bristle'; the suffix '-cidal' comes from Latin via formation patterns seen in words like 'pesticidal' and 'bactericidal'. These elements were combined in English in the 20th century to form the technical adjective 'spirocheticidal'.

Initially coined to denote an agent or property that kills spirochetes; the meaning has remained specialized and consistent in scientific usage to indicate killing of spirochetes.