'barbulate' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'barbula' (a diminutive of 'barba'), where 'barbula' meant 'little beard' or 'small tuft (of hair)'.

'barbula' passed into Late/Medieval Latin with forms such as 'barbulatus' (meaning 'bearded' or 'having small barbs') and later gave rise in English to the adjective/verb 'barbulate'.

Initially it referred to being 'bearded' or having a small beard-like tuft; over time the sense shifted to 'having barbs or small spine-like projections' and to the verb sense 'to furnish with barbs'.