The Spanish verb 'insuflar' (meaning 'to insufflate' or 'to blow into') comes from the Latin word 'insufflare', which had the same meaning. The Latin 'insufflare' was formed by combining two elements: the prefix 'in-' meaning 'into, within' and 'sufflare' meaning 'to blow with the mouth'. Going even further back, 'sufflare' itself was composed of the prefix 'sub-' ('under, below') and the Latin verb 'flare' ('to blow').

This etymology shows how the word was built up in layers: first combining 'sub-' and 'flare' to create 'sufflare', then adding 'in-' to create 'insufflare', which eventually evolved into the Spanish 'insuflar'. The meaning has remained remarkably consistent throughout this evolution, always relating to the action of blowing or breathing into something.

A simpler related Spanish word is 'soplar' (to blow), which also derives from Latin 'sufflare'. While 'insuflar' is typically used in more technical or medical contexts (like insufflating air into lungs), 'soplar' is the common everyday word for blowing, like blowing out candles or the wind blowing.

English speakers might recognize the connection to words like 'insufflate' and 'insufflation', which are direct cognates of 'insuflar'. These words are mainly used in medical contexts. The English word 'souffle' (borrowed from French) is also distantly related, as it comes from the same Latin root 'sufflare' - a souffle is literally something that is 'blown up' or puffed with air.