'cudbear' originates from English, first recorded in the 18th century as the name for a purple dye obtained from certain lichens.

'cudbear' was used historically to refer to the lichen material and the purple dye produced from it (also referred to as 'orchil' or 'archil'), and this sense continued into modern usage.

Initially it referred primarily to the lichen or substance used for dyeing; over time the meaning broadened to include the dye itself.