'tuberculin' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'tuberculinum', where 'tuberculum' meant 'small swelling (a tubercle)' and the suffix '-in' meant 'substance'.

'tuberculin' changed from the Neo-Latin word 'tuberculinum' and was coined in the late 19th century in the context of research on tuberculosis (notably associated with Robert Koch's work), eventually becoming the modern English word 'tuberculin'.

Initially it referred generally to a substance associated with a tubercle or proposed as a remedy; over time it came to mean specifically the protein derivative used diagnostically in skin tests for tuberculosis.