'arctoid' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'Arctoidea', where the Greek root 'arktos' meant 'bear'.

'arctoid' developed from the scientific New Latin term 'Arctoidea' (itself from Greek 'arktos'), and was formed in English as an adjective/noun meaning 'of or like Arctoidea'.

Initially, it referred specifically to members of the taxonomic group 'Arctoidea' (bear-like carnivores); over time it has been used both in technical contexts for that group and more broadly to mean 'bear-like'.