The term was first used by Clay G. Huff from the University of Chicago.Huff, Clay G. (1942). Schizogony and gametocyte development in Leucocytozoon simondi and comparisons with Plasmodium and Haemoproteus in studying parasitic diseases. The Journal of Infectious Diseases. Volume 71. Oxford University Press. In studying various infectious diseases caused by parasitic protozoans from the Apicomplexa phylum, Dr. Huff noticed two types of schizonts developing in the infected hosts. He noticed smaller schizonts were found in the hepatic regions of the host, these ranged in size from 11 to 18 micrometers. The larger schizonts, ranging in size from 60 to 105 micrometers, were found in blood vessels or in contact with the muscle tissue. Dr. Huff referred to these large schizonts as megaloshizonts. It was hypothesized that in this particular case, the megaloschizont (produced asexually) was responsible for producing merozoites that would develop into gametocytes, the sexually reproducing stage of the Apicomplexa life cycle.
