'baccharoid' originates from the name 'Bacchus' (Latin), ultimately from Greek 'Bakchos' (Βάκχος), combined with the suffix '-oid' from Greek '-oeidēs' meaning 'form' or 'resembling'.

'baccharoid' was formed in English by combining 'Bacch-' (from Latin 'Bacchus' and Greek 'Bakchos') with the productive Greek-derived suffix '-oid' (via Latin/French/English usage), modeled on adjectives meaning 'resembling X' (for example, 'humanoid').

Initially the components literally suggested 'in the form of Bacchus'; over time the word has been used figuratively to mean 'resembling or characteristic of bacchanalian revelry' rather than a literal likeness to the god.