'areole' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'areola', where 'area' meant 'open space' and the diminutive suffix '-ola' meant 'small'.

'areole' passed into English via Medieval/Modern French (Old French/Modern French 'aréole') and the Latin diminutive 'areola', eventually becoming the modern English word 'areole'.

Initially it meant 'a small open area' in general; over time the term became specialized in scientific contexts (notably botany and zoology) to denote small, defined pads or circular areas such as the cushion-like structures on cacti.