'apiary' originates from Medieval Latin, specifically the word 'apiarium', where 'apis' meant 'bee'.

'apiarium' developed from Latin 'apis' + the suffix '-arium' and passed into Middle English (via Medieval Latin/Old French influences) to become the modern English 'apiary'.

Initially, it meant 'a place for bees' in Latin, and over time it has retained that core meaning as 'a place where bees are kept'.