'asiatic' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'Asiaticus', which itself comes from Greek 'Asiātikos' and ultimately from 'Asia' where the root referred to the region 'Asia'.

'asiatic' changed from Latin 'Asiaticus' into Old French 'asiatique' and entered Middle English in forms like 'Asiatic', eventually becoming the modern English word 'asiatic'.

Initially, it meant 'of or relating to Asia', but over time it was also used to classify peoples by region or race; as a noun this usage has become archaic or potentially offensive, while the adjective sense remains.