'dermatophyte' originates from Greek, specifically the words 'derma' meaning 'skin' and 'phyton' meaning 'plant'.

'dermatophyte' was derived from the Greek words 'derma' and 'phyton', and eventually became the modern English word 'dermatophyte'.

Initially, it meant 'skin plant', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a fungus affecting the skin'.