'angulate' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'angulātus' (past participle of 'angulāre'), where 'angulus' meant 'angle'.

'angulātus' in Medieval/Neo-Latin was used adjectivally and in scientific Latin; it entered Early Modern English as 'angulate' (adj.), and later the verbal use developed, eventually becoming the modern English word 'angulate'.

Initially, it meant 'angular; having corners or angles', but over time it also developed the verbal sense 'to make angular; to bend at an angle'.