'arrowwood' is a compound of the English words 'arrow' and 'wood'. 'arrow' originates from Old English (e.g. 'earh' / early forms), where it meant 'projectile' or 'shaft', and 'wood' originates from Old English 'wudu', meaning 'tree' or 'wood'.

'arrowwood' appeared in Middle English in forms such as 'arwe-wode' or 'arrow-wode' as a term for wood suitable for making arrows and later became the modern English compound 'arrowwood'.

Initially it meant 'wood used to make arrows' (or the property of being suitable for arrow shafts); over time it came to be used as a common name for certain shrubs (especially Viburnum species) and their wood.