'arrowlet' originates from English, formed by the word 'arrow' plus the diminutive suffix '-let', where 'arrow' meant a projectile implemented as a pointed shaft and '-let' meant 'small'.

'arrow' comes from Old English (e.g. 'earh' / 'earh' variants) and passed into Middle English as 'arwe' or 'arwe/arrow', while the diminutive suffix '-let' entered English from Old French (e.g. '-elet'/'-let') ultimately from Latin diminutive formations; these combined in English to produce 'arrowlet'.

Initially it literally meant 'a little arrow' and over time has retained that basic meaning, also used for small arrow-shaped signs or marks.