'ascocarpous' originates from New Latin/Modern scientific formation, specifically from 'ascocarpus' (New Latin), where the prefix 'asco-' comes from Greek 'askos' meaning 'bag, sac' and 'carp' comes from Greek 'karpos' meaning 'fruit'; the English suffix '-ous' denotes 'having' or 'full of'.

'ascocarpous' developed from New Latin 'ascocarpus' (used in mycological Latin to denote 'ascocarp'), which itself was formed from Greek elements 'askos' + 'karpos'; the adjective formed in English by adding '-ous' to indicate 'having or bearing an ascocarp'.

Initially it referred specifically to organisms 'having an ascocarp' (i.e., bearing the sac-like fruiting bodies of ascomycetes); this technical mycological meaning has been retained in modern usage.