'stroke-preventive' originates from English, specifically the compound of 'stroke' and 'preventive'. 'stroke' originates from Old English 'strāc', where the root meant 'a blow'; 'preventive' originates from Latin 'praevenire', where 'prae-' meant 'before' and 'venire' meant 'to come'.

'preventive' changed from Latin 'praevenire' to Old French 'prevenir' and Middle English 'prevent', eventually becoming the English adjective 'preventive'. 'stroke' changed from Old English 'strāc' (a blow) through Middle English 'stroke' (extended to include sudden medical attacks), and the modern compound 'stroke-preventive' is a recent formation in modern English.

Initially, 'preventive' meant 'to come before' (act ahead of something) and 'stroke' originally meant 'a blow'; over time 'stroke' broadened to include the medical meaning 'cerebrovascular accident', and the compound now specifically means 'intended to prevent stroke'.