'arboricole' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'arboricola', where 'arbor-' meant 'tree' and '-cola' meant 'dweller' or 'inhabitant'.

'arboricole' came from Latin 'arboricola' (used in Medieval Latin and later in French as 'arboricole') and entered English usage in scientific and descriptive contexts with essentially the same form.

Initially it meant 'tree-dweller' in a literal sense; over time it has retained that core meaning and is used mainly in scientific or formal descriptions to mean 'living in or on trees'.