'astragalus' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'astragalus', ultimately from Greek 'astragalos', where 'astragalos' meant 'ankle bone' or 'knucklebone'.

'astragalos' (Greek) was adopted into Latin as 'astragalus' and then borrowed into English (as a learned/scientific term) from Latin/Medieval Latin; the word has been used in anatomy, architecture and botanical Latin.

Initially it meant 'ankle bone' or 'knucklebone'; over time the term was extended metaphorically to a small rounded molding in architecture and was adopted as the genus name for certain plants (Astragalus).