toxin (n.)

“organic poison,” especially one produced by bacteria in an animal body, 1886, from toxic + -in (2).

toxic (adj.)

1660s, from French toxique and directly from Late Latin toxicus “poisoned,” from Latin toxicum “poison,” from Greek toxikon (pharmakon) “(poison) for use on arrows,” from toxikon, neuter of toxikos “pertaining to arrows or archery,” and thus to a bow, from toxon “bow,” probably from a Scythian word that also was borrowed into Latin as taxus “yew.” Watkins suggests a possible source in Iranian taxša- “bow,” from PIE *tekw- “to run, flee.” As a noun from 1890. Toxic waste is by 1888 in medicine, “toxin;” by 1955 as “chemical or radioactive waste.”

-in (2)

word-forming element in chemistry, usually indicating a neutral substance, antibiotic, vitamin, or hormone; a modification and specialized use of -ine (2).

Harper, Douglas. “Etymology of toxin.” Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/word/toxin. Accessed 11 January, 2023.