'hermaphroditic' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'hermaphroditos,' where 'herma-' meant 'boundary' and 'aphroditos' referred to 'Aphrodite,' the goddess of love.

'hermaphroditos' transformed into the Latin word 'hermaphroditus,' and eventually became the modern English word 'hermaphroditic' through Middle English.

Initially, it referred to the mythological figure Hermaphroditus, who had both male and female characteristics, and over time it evolved into its current meaning of having both male and female reproductive organs.