'arboriform' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'arbor', where 'arbor' meant 'tree' and the combining element '-form' meant 'shape' or 'form'.

'arboriform' developed from Medieval/Scientific Latin 'arboriformis' and was borrowed into English (via scientific and descriptive usage) as 'arboriform'.

Initially it meant 'having the form of a tree' in Latin and related scientific descriptions; over time the meaning has remained essentially the same as 'tree-shaped'.