'homologous' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'homologos,' where 'homos' meant 'same' and 'logos' meant 'relation' or 'proportion.'

'homologous' changed from the Medieval Latin word 'homologus,' which came from Greek 'homologos,' and eventually became the modern English word 'homologous.'

Initially, it meant 'having the same proportion or relation,' but over time it evolved into its current scientific meanings of 'having the same evolutionary origin' or 'corresponding in structure or position.'