also pathogene, "disease-producing micro-organism," 1880, a back-formation from pathogenic.
Entries linking to pathogen
pathogenic adj.
"producing disease," 1836, from French pathogénique, from Greek pathos "disease" (from PIE root *kwent(h)- "to suffer") + French -génique "producing" (see -gen). Related: Pathogenetic (1838); pathogenicity.