'arracacha' originates from Spanish, specifically the word 'arracacha', which is ultimately derived from indigenous Andean languages (likely Quechua or Aymara) referring to a root or tuber.

'arracacha' entered Spanish and Portuguese usage during colonial contacts with Andean peoples and later appeared in English botanical and culinary texts as 'arracacha'.

Initially it referred to the local Andean root/tuber, and over time it has retained that basic meaning in English as the name of the plant and its edible root.