'foetida' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'foetidus', where the root 'foet-' meant 'to stink' or 'foul-smelling'.

'foetida' developed from Latin 'foetidus' and entered English usage (often via Medieval/Modern scientific Latin and Romance-language influence, e.g. Old French/Modern French 'fétide'/'fetide') as the adjective 'foetid' and in botanical Latin as 'foetida'.

Initially it meant 'stinking' or 'having a bad smell' in Latin, and over time it has retained that core meaning in English, especially in scientific and descriptive usage.