'vomit-inducing' originates from Modern English compounding of the verb 'vomit' and the verb 'induce'. 'vomit' ultimately comes from Latin 'vomere' meaning 'to vomit', and 'induce' comes from Latin 'inducere', where 'in-' meant 'into' and 'ducere' meant 'to lead.'

'vomit' entered English via Middle English (from Old French or directly from Latin forms) and developed into the modern English 'vomit'. 'induce' came into English from Latin through Anglo-French and Middle English; the compound 'vomit-inducing' is a straightforward Modern English formation using a present participle to form an adjectival phrase.

Initially, the elements referred literally to causing vomiting; over time the compound has also been used figuratively to mean 'extremely disgusting' or 'repulsive.'