'anatid' originates from New Latin, specifically the family name 'Anatidae', ultimately from Latin 'anas' (gen. 'anatis') meaning 'duck'.

'anatid' developed from New Latin 'Anatidae' (the taxonomic family name formed from the Latin 'Anas'), which itself traces back to the classical Latin word 'anas, anatis' meaning 'duck'.

Initially it referred to 'duck' in Latin (the word 'anas'); over time the root was used in scientific taxonomy to form 'Anatidae', and in English 'anatid' came to mean 'a member of the family Anatidae (ducks, geese, swans)'.