'fungi' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'fungus', where 'fungus' meant 'mushroom'.

'fungi' developed from the Latin word 'fungus' and entered English usage via New Latin/Modern Latin; English borrowed 'fungus' (singular) and the Latin plural 'fungi' came into scientific and common use by the 17th century.

Initially, it meant 'mushroom' in Latin, but over time it evolved into the broader modern meaning referring to a group of spore-producing organisms (molds, yeasts, mushrooms, etc.).