'aulos' originates from Ancient Greek, specifically the word 'αὐλός' (transliterated 'aulos'), where the root meant 'pipe' or 'flute'.

'aulos' changed from the Ancient Greek word 'αὐλός' and was adopted into English as a loanword describing the same instrument.

Initially, it meant 'pipe' or 'flute' in general, but over time in English it came to refer specifically to the ancient Greek double-reeded instrument 'aulos'.