'ascidiferous' originates from Neo-Latin, specifically from Latin 'ascidium' and the Latin suffix '-ferous', where 'ascidium' meant 'little bag' (from Greek 'askidion') and '-ferous' meant 'bearing'.

'ascidiferous' changed from the Neo-Latin compound 'ascidium-ferous' (with 'ascidium' ultimately from Greek 'askidion' meaning 'little bag') and eventually became the modern English word 'ascidiferous' through scientific Latin usage in taxonomy and anatomy.

Initially, it meant 'bearing small bags or sacs', and over time this core meaning has remained essentially the same in modern usage.