"pertaining to the process of building up" (especially in metabolism), 1876, with -ic + Greek anabole "that which is thrown up; a mound," from anaballein "to throw or toss up," from ana "up, upward" (see ana-) + ballein "to throw" (from PIE root *gwele- "to throw, reach").
some athletes take anabolic steroids to increase muscle size temporarily
ana-
-ana
Anabaptism
Anabaptist
anabasis
anabolic
anabolism
anachronism
anachronistic
anacoluthon
anaconda