'orchid' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'orchis', where 'orchis' meant 'testicle' (referring to the shape of its root tubers).

'orchid' changed from Greek 'orchis' to Latin 'orchis', passed into New Latin as 'Orchidaceae', and via Old/Middle French forms (e.g. 'orchide') entered English as 'orchid'.

Initially, it meant 'testicle' (the tuber), but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a flowering plant of the family Orchidaceae'.