'aromatophore' originates as a modern scientific coinage from Greek roots: 'aroma' (Greek 'arōma', meaning 'sweet smell, spice') + '-phore' from Greek 'phoros'/'phērein' meaning 'bearing' or 'to carry'.

'aromatophore' was formed in Neo-Latin/scientific usage by compounding Greek-derived elements ('aroma' + '-phore'), following patterns of terms like 'chromatophore' and 'photophore' and entered English technical literature in the 19th–20th century scientific lexicon.

Initially coined to mean simply a 'bearer of aroma' (literally 'scent-bearer'); its current technical use denotes specific glands or structures that produce or emit scent, especially in botanical and zoological contexts.