'asciferous' originates from Latin and Greek, specifically the Latinized word 'ascus' (from Greek 'askos'), where 'askos' meant 'bag' (sac), combined with the Latin suffix '-ferous' (from 'ferre') meaning 'to bear'.

'asciferous' is a Neo-Latin/English scientific formation derived from Latin/Greek roots: Greek 'askos' became Latinized as 'ascus', which was combined with '-ferous' in New Latin/English to form the adjective 'asciferous'.

Initially it meant 'bearing a bag or sac' in a general morphological sense; over time it has been used more specifically to mean 'bearing asci' (the sac-like spore structures of certain fungi).