'ajowan' originates from Hindi, specifically the word 'ajwain', where 'ajwain' referred to the seeds of the Trachyspermum ammi plant.

'ajwain' transformed into the English word 'ajowan', and eventually became the modern English word 'ajowans' as its plural form.

Initially, it referred to the seeds of the Trachyspermum ammi plant, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.