'anthraciferous' originates from New Latin, specifically combining the Greek word 'anthrax' (meaning 'coal') and the Latin element 'ferous' (from 'ferre', meaning 'to bear').

'anthraciferous' was formed in New Latin as a compound of 'anthrax' + '-ferous' (compare Neo-Latin forms such as 'anthraciferus'), and was adopted into English in learned/technical usage as 'anthraciferous'.

Initially it meant 'bearing or producing coal', and over time it has retained that technical meaning of 'coal-bearing' in modern usage.