'lianaceous' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'lianaceus', where 'liana' meant 'woody vine' and the suffix '-aceous' meant 'relating to'.

'lianaceous' changed from New Latin 'lianaceus', which itself was formed from French 'liane' (from a West African language via French), and eventually became the modern English word 'lianaceous'.

Initially, it meant 'pertaining to or resembling a liana (woody vine)', and over time it has retained that specialized botanical meaning in modern English.