'jequirity' originates from the Portuguese word 'jequiriti,' which was derived from the Tupi word 'jecuritý,' where 'jecur' meant 'liver' and '-itý' was a diminutive suffix.

'jequiriti' transformed into the English word 'jequirity' through adaptation from Portuguese.

Initially, it referred to the plant itself, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.