'lianescent' originates from French 'liane' and the Latin-derived suffix '-escent' (from Latin '-escens', present-participle-forming), where 'liane' meant 'a liana, woody climbing vine' and '-escent' meant 'becoming' or 'beginning to be'.

'lianescent' was formed in English by combining the French-derived noun 'liana' (via French 'liane') with the Late Latin/Latin suffix '-escent' (from 'escere'/'-escens'), producing an adjective meaning 'becoming liana-like' or 'vine-like'.

Initially it denoted 'taking on the character of a liana' or 'becoming vine-like'; over time its use has remained specialized and rare, retaining the same core sense of 'vine-like or becoming vine-like'.