'argentiferous' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'argentum', where 'argent-' meant 'silver' and the suffix '-ferous' comes from Latin 'ferre' meaning 'to bear'.

'argentiferous' developed via Medieval/Late Latin formations such as 'argentifer'/'argentiferus' (meaning 'bearing silver') and entered English with the same compound structure in Early Modern English.

Initially, it meant 'bearing or containing silver', and this core meaning has remained essentially the same in modern usage.