'acanthopterous' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'akanthopteros,' where 'akantha' meant 'thorn' and 'pteron' meant 'wing or fin.'

'akanthopteros' transformed into the Latin word 'acanthopterus,' and eventually became the modern English word 'acanthopterous.'

Initially, it meant 'having thorny wings or fins,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.