'toxins' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'toxicum', where 'toxicum' meant 'poison'.

'toxicum' changed from the Greek word 'toxikon' (meaning 'poison for arrows') and eventually became the modern English word 'toxin', with 'toxins' as its plural form.

Initially, it meant 'poison', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a poisonous substance produced by living organisms'.