'physiographic' originates from Greek (via New Latin and English), specifically from the Greek roots 'physis' and 'graphē', where 'physis' meant 'nature' and 'graphē' meant 'writing' or 'description'.

'physiographic' developed from the noun 'physiography' (from New Latin 'physiographia' and Greek elements), with the adjective formed in English by adding the suffix '-ic' to create the modern term 'physiographic'.

Initially it meant 'description of natural features', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'relating to the physical features of the earth and their formation'.