'anserine' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'anserinus', where 'anser' meant 'goose'.

'anserine' changed from Late Latin 'anserinus' into Middle English (via scholarly/learned borrowing) and eventually became the modern English word 'anserine'.

Initially, it meant 'of or pertaining to geese'; over time it also acquired a secondary, figurative sense of 'goose-like' or 'stupid/foolish' in some usages.