'aurantiaceous' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'aurantiaceus', where 'aurant-' meant 'orange' (relating to the orange tree or its fruit).

'aurantiaceous' developed via Late/Medieval Latin 'aurantiaceus' and New Latin usage (often in scientific descriptions) before entering modern English as 'aurantiaceous'.

Initially, it meant 'pertaining to the orange (tree or fruit)', but over time it evolved into the broader color sense of 'orange-colored' used in descriptions.