'inhibitor' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'inhibere,' where 'in-' meant 'in' and 'habere' meant 'to hold.'

'inhibere' transformed into the French word 'inhibiteur,' and eventually became the modern English word 'inhibitor' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to hold in or restrain,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a substance or agent that slows or prevents a process.'