'pterygous' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'pteryx' (πτέρυξ), where 'pter-' meant 'wing'.

'pterygous' changed from New Latin form 'pterygōsus' (formed from Greek 'pteryx' + Latin adjectival suffix '-ōsus') and eventually became the modern English adjective 'pterygous'.

Initially, it meant 'winged' (literally 'having a wing'); over time the term has been used broadly in biology to describe structures that are wing- or fin-like, a meaning retained in modern usage.