'rostriform' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'rostrum' (meaning 'beak' or 'beak-like projection'), combined with Latin 'forma' meaning 'shape'.

'rostrum' in Latin passed into Late Latin and scientific use in English; the adjectival combining form '-form' (from Latin 'forma') was appended in modern scientific/technical coinage to produce 'rostriform'.

Initially, it meant 'having the form of a rostrum (beak)'; over time it has retained this technical meaning and is used mainly in biological and paleontological descriptions.