'psammous' originates from New Latin and Late Greek, specifically the Greek word 'psammos', where 'psammos' meant 'sand'.

'psammous' was formed in New Latin from Greek roots (Greek 'psammos' + the adjectival suffix '-ous') and was adopted into English in scientific usage to describe sand-related characteristics.

Initially, it meant 'pertaining to sand', and this core meaning has been retained in modern usage as a technical adjective for sand-related organisms, substrates, or features.