'aardwolf' originates from Afrikaans, specifically the word 'aardwolf', where 'aard' meant 'earth' and 'wolf' meant 'wolf'.

'aardwolf' has remained largely unchanged from its Afrikaans origins, maintaining the same spelling and meaning in modern English.

Initially, it meant 'earth wolf', referring to its burrowing habits and wolf-like appearance, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.