'ashplant' originates from English, a compound of 'ash' (the tree) and 'plant' (a young tree or stake); 'ash' comes from Old English 'æsc' meaning 'ash tree', and 'plant' ultimately from Latin 'planta' via Old French meaning 'a young plant or shoot'.

'ash' (Old English 'æsc') combined with 'plant' (Old French/Latin 'plant(​a)') in post-medieval English to form the compound 'ashplant', used variously for young ash trees or pieces of ash wood; the compound later came to be used specifically for a staff or stick of ash wood.

Initially it referred to a young ash tree or a stake of ash; over time the sense shifted toward an object made of ash wood (specifically a staff or walking-stick) and is now chiefly used in that sense.