'symptomatic' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'symptōmatikos', where 'symptōma' meant 'a happening' or 'symptom'.

'symptōmatikos' transformed into the Late Latin word 'symptomaticus', and eventually became the modern English word 'symptomatic'.

Initially, it meant 'pertaining to a symptom', and over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'serving as a symptom or sign'.