'apiculate' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'apiculatus', where 'apicula' is a diminutive of 'apex' meaning 'tip' or 'summit'.

'apiculate' changed from Medieval/Scientific Latin 'apiculatus' and was adopted into English in scientific and botanical usage as 'apiculate'.

Initially, it meant 'having a small tip or apex', and over time it has retained this specialized botanical sense of 'ending in a small, distinct point'.