'amtrac' originates from the combination of 'amphibious' and 'tractor', where 'amphibious' refers to the ability to operate on both land and water, and 'tractor' refers to a vehicle designed for pulling.

'Amtrac' was coined during World War II to describe vehicles used in amphibious assaults.

Initially, it meant 'a vehicle for amphibious operations', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.