'andiroba' originates from Portuguese, specifically the word 'andiroba', which itself comes from the Tupi language, where 'nhandi' meant 'oil' and 'rob' meant 'bitter'.

'andiroba' was borrowed into English from Portuguese during the colonial period, and eventually became the modern English word 'andiroba'.

Initially, it referred specifically to the tree and its oil, and this meaning has remained consistent in modern usage.