[1790–1800; tympan(um) + -itis]This word is first recorded in the period 1790–1800. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: cannibalism, cutout, gelatin, methodology, modular-itis is a suffix used in pathological terms that denote inflammation of an organ (bronchitis; gastritis; neuritis) and hence, in extended senses, nouns denoting abnormal states or conditions, excesses,tendencies, obsessions, etc. (telephonitis; baseballitis)