'garlicky' originates from the word 'garlic', which comes from Old English 'garleac', where 'gar' meant 'spear' and 'leac' meant 'leek'.

'garleac' transformed into the Middle English word 'garlek', and eventually became the modern English word 'garlic'.

Initially, it meant 'spear leek', referring to the shape of the garlic plant, and over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'having a strong flavor or smell of garlic'.