'hygroma' originates from Modern Latin 'hygroma', ultimately from Greek, specifically the word 'ὑγρόμα' (hygroma), where 'ὑγρός (hygros)' meant 'wet, moist'.

'hygroma' came into medical Latin usage as 'hygroma' from Greek 'ὑγρόμα' and was adopted into English medical terminology with little change in form, keeping its reference to a watery swelling.

Initially, it meant 'a watery or moist swelling'; over time it has come to denote specific types of fluid-filled swellings in clinical contexts, including bursal/serous collections and congenital cystic (lymphatic) malformations.