'erythroplakic' originates from New Latin 'erythroplakia', ultimately from Greek, specifically the words 'erythros' and 'plakē', where 'erythros' meant 'red' and 'plakē' meant 'plate' or 'patch'.

'erythroplakic' changed from the New Latin word 'erythroplakia' and became the English adjective 'erythroplakic' through formation with the adjectival suffix '-ic'.

Initially, it meant 'a red patch (on a mucous membrane)', but over time it evolved into its current adjectival meaning of 'relating to or showing erythroplakia (red patches)'.