'erythroplasia' originates from Greek, specifically the elements 'erythros' and 'plasis', where 'erythros' meant 'red' and 'plasis' meant 'formation, molding'.

'erythroplasia' was formed in New/Medical Latin from the Greek roots and entered English usage as a medical term in the 19th century to denote red-formed lesions of tissues.

Initially the Greek components referred simply to 'red formation', but over time the composite 'erythroplasia' has come to denote a red patch on mucous membranes, often implying a precancerous lesion.