'apterygotan' originates from New Latin/modern scientific usage, ultimately from Greek 'apterygotos', where the prefix 'a-' meant 'without' and the root 'pteryg-' (from 'pteryx') meant 'wing'.

'apterygotan' developed via New Latin taxonomic formation from Greek 'apterygotos' and the New Latin/Modern Latin group name 'Apterygota'; it entered English scientific usage as a noun/adjective referring to members or characteristics of that group.

Initially, the Greek-derived term meant 'without wings'; over time it became a technical biological term used to denote the taxonomic group Apterygota or characteristics associated with that group (i.e., winglessness).