'aflorous' originates from Latin elements: the root 'flōs' (genitive 'flōris') meaning 'flower' and the adjective-forming element related to 'flōrus' meaning 'flowered' or 'flowery'. The prefix 'a-' (privative) is drawn from classical sources (Greek/Latin) meaning 'without'.

'aflorous' was formed in scientific/modern English (via New Latin usage) by combining the privative prefix 'a-' with Latin 'flōrus' (and related Late Latin forms such as 'flōrosus'/'florōsus'); this produced a term used in botanical descriptions to mean 'without flowers'.

Initially coined to mean 'without flowers' in botanical descriptions, it has retained that specialized sense in modern usage.