'aconitum' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'aconitum', which was derived from the Greek word 'akoniton', where 'ak-' meant 'point' or 'dart', referring to the plant's pointed leaves.

'akoniton' transformed into the Latin word 'aconitum', and eventually became the modern English word 'aconitum'.

Initially, it referred to the plant's pointed leaves, but over time it evolved into its current meaning of a genus of toxic plants.