'barbellate' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'barbellatus', where 'barba' meant 'beard' and the diminutive element (as in 'barbella') implied 'small', giving the sense of 'small beard-like projection'.

'barbellate' changed from Medieval/Neo-Latin word 'barbellatus' and was adopted into English (via scientific/New Latin usage) as 'barbellate'.

Initially, it referred to 'having a small beard or beard-like appendage'; over time, especially in botanical and zoological contexts, it evolved to mean 'having small barbs or barb-like projections'.