'algarroba' originates from Spanish, specifically the word 'algarrobo,' which in turn comes from Arabic 'al-kharrūba,' where 'al-' meant 'the' and 'kharrūba' referred to the carob tree.

'al-kharrūba' transformed into the Spanish word 'algarrobo,' and eventually became the modern English word 'algarroba.'

Initially, it referred specifically to the carob tree, but over time it also came to refer to the pods of the tree.