'aquaplane' originates from Latin roots and English compounding, specifically the Latin word 'aqua' where 'aqua' meant 'water' and the Latin word 'planus' where 'planus' meant 'flat' (combined in English as 'aqua-' + 'plane').

'aquaplane' was coined in English in the early 20th century as a compound of 'aqua-' (water) and 'plane' (flat surface) to name a board ridden on water; later the verb sense ('to aquaplane') developed and was extended to vehicles that 'hydroplane' on wet roads.

Initially, it referred to 'a board used for riding on water' but over time the verb sense expanded to mean 'to slide on water' (including vehicles losing traction on wet roads).