'scantily-flowered' originates from the English word 'scanty,' which comes from the Old Norse word 'skamt,' meaning 'short' or 'scarce,' combined with 'flowered,' derived from the Latin word 'flos,' meaning 'flower.'

'scantily-flowered' evolved from the combination of 'scanty' and 'flowered' in English, maintaining its meaning of having few flowers.

Initially, it meant 'having few flowers,' and this meaning has remained consistent in modern usage.