'barbless' originates from English, composed of 'barb' (from Old French 'barbe', ultimately from Latin 'barba') meaning 'beard' which developed the sense 'point' or 'projection', plus the suffix '-less' from Old English 'lēas' meaning 'without'.

The element 'barb' came into Middle English from Old French 'barbe' (from Latin 'barba'), later forming the noun 'barb' meaning a sharp projection; the suffix '-less' comes from Old English 'lēas' and became the productive adjectival suffix '-less'; these combined in English to form 'barbless' meaning 'without barbs'.

Initially related etymologically to 'beard' (Latin 'barba'), the sense shifted to denote a projection or hook ('barb'); 'barbless' has meant 'without such projections' since formation and retains that meaning.