'asbestous' originates from English, specifically formed from the noun 'asbestos' plus the suffix '-ous', where the suffix '-ous' meant 'full of' or 'having the quality of'.

'asbestous' was formed in modern English from 'asbestos' (itself borrowed into English from Greek 'asbestos'), adding the adjectival suffix '-ous' to create a word meaning 'having asbestos'.

Initially, the Greek word 'asbestos' meant 'inextinguishable' (referring to fire-resistant qualities); over time the element name 'asbestos' came to refer to the mineral, and 'asbestous' came to mean 'containing or resembling asbestos'.