'applewood' originates from English, specifically a compound of 'apple' and 'wood', where 'apple' ultimately comes from Old English 'æppel' meaning 'apple' and 'wood' comes from Old English 'wudu' meaning 'wood' or 'forest'.

'applewood' developed in Middle English as the compound form (e.g. 'appel-wud(e)') and eventually became the modern English word 'applewood'.

Initially, it meant 'wood from an apple tree', and over time this basic meaning has largely remained the same into modern usage as 'wood of an apple tree' or wood used for smoking/fuel.