'arcature' originates from French, specifically the word 'arcature', ultimately from Medieval Latin 'arcatura' and Latin 'arcus', where 'arcus' meant 'bow, arch'.

'arcature' came into English via French 'arcature', which in turn developed from Medieval Latin 'arcatura' (from Latin 'arcus'). Over time the term was adopted into English architectural vocabulary to denote a decorative band of small arches.

Initially related to the general idea of an 'arch' or 'arched form' (from Latin 'arcus'), it came to denote specifically a decorative series of small arches or a blind arcade in architectural contexts.