Etymology of host The word host is derived from the Latin hostia, which means ‘sacrificial victim’. The term can be used to describe the bread both before and after consecration, although it is more correct to use it after consecration.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacramental_bread#:~:text=the%20Divine%20Liturgy-,Etymology%20of%20host,to%20use%20it%20after%20consecration.