'aphrodisiacal' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'aphrodisiakos', where the root refers to 'Aphrodite' (the Greek goddess associated with love and sexual desire).

'aphrodisiacal' developed via New Latin and Middle French forms (for example New Latin 'aphrodisiacum' and French 'aphrodisiaque'), then entered English as 'aphrodisiac' with the adjectival suffix '-al' producing 'aphrodisiacal'.

Initially connected with Aphrodite or things pertaining to love, it came to mean more generally 'causing or enhancing sexual desire' and retains that meaning in modern usage.