'arenicolous' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'arenicola'/'arenicolus', where 'arena' meant 'sand' and '-colus' (from Latin 'colere') meant 'dweller' or 'inhabitant'.

'arenicolous' developed from New Latin 'arenicola'/'arenicolus' (formed from Latin 'arena' + '-colus'); this passed into English as the adjective 'arenicolous' meaning 'living in sand'.

Initially it meant 'dweller in sand' (literally 'sand-dweller'), and over time it has retained that core meaning as 'inhabiting sandy habitats'.