'auriculately' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'auricula', where 'aur-' meant 'ear' and '-cula' was a diminutive.

'auriculate' entered English via Late Latin 'auriculatus' (meaning 'having little ears' or 'provided with auricles') and was adopted into scientific and botanical English as 'auriculate'; the adverbial form 'auriculately' is formed by adding the English adverbial suffix '-ly'.

Initially, related forms referred to a 'small ear' or 'little ear' (the diminutive sense of 'auricula'); over time the sense broadened to describe forms or structures that are ear-shaped or bear ear-like appendages, which is the basis of the modern usage.