'polygamous' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'polygamos', where 'poly-' meant 'many' and 'gamos' meant 'marriage'.

'polygamos' transformed into the Late Latin word 'polygamus', and eventually became the modern English word 'polygamous'.

Initially, it meant 'having many marriages', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'having more than one mate or spouse at the same time'.