An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

Incapable of producing offspring; not producing offspring (Dictionary.com).

Etymology (EN): M.Fr. stérile “not producing fruit,” from L. sterilis “barren, unproductive, unfruitful,” from PIE *ster- “stiff, rigid, firm, strong.”

Etymology (PE): Satarvan, literally “mule-like, resembling a mule,” from setar, variant of astar, → mule, + -van similarity and attribution suffix.