'Barosma' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'baros' meaning 'weight' and 'osma' meaning 'smell', referring to the strong aroma of the plant's leaves.

'Barosma' was adopted into modern botanical Latin from Greek, maintaining its original reference to the plant's aromatic properties.

Initially, it referred to the plant's strong aroma, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.