'aquamanile' originates from Medieval Latin, specifically the word 'aquamanile', where 'aqua' meant 'water' and the element related to 'man-' (from Latin 'manus') meant 'hand' (so roughly 'for washing the hands').

'aquamanile' changed from Medieval Latin 'aquamanile' (plural 'aquamanilia') and entered Middle English usage; the Latin-based term was preserved to refer to these ceremonial vessels, with 'aquamanilia' commonly used as the plural.

Initially, it meant 'a vessel for washing the hands' in a literal and functional sense; over time the term became specialized to refer especially to decorated or sculptural medieval hand‑washing ewers used in liturgical and ceremonial contexts.