'ginger' originates from Middle English, specifically the word 'gingivere,' which came from Old English 'gingifer,' derived from Latin 'zingiberi,' and ultimately from Greek 'zingiberis,' which was borrowed from Sanskrit 'śṛṅgavera,' meaning 'horn-shaped.'

'gingivere' transformed into the Middle English word 'ginger,' and eventually became the modern English word 'ginger.'

Initially, it referred to the spice itself, but over time it also came to describe the color and flavor associated with it.