'keratoacanthoma' originates from Greek, specifically the words 'kerato-' meaning 'horn' and 'acanthoma' meaning 'thorn tumor'.

'keratoacanthoma' was derived from the combination of Greek words 'kerato-' and 'acanthoma', and eventually became the modern medical term 'keratoacanthoma'.

Initially, it referred to a 'thorn-like tumor', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of a 'rapidly growing skin tumor'.