'umbellifer' originates from New Latin/Late Latin, specifically the word 'umbellifer' (from Latin elements), where 'umbella' meant 'little shade' or 'small umbrella' and '-fer' meant 'bearing'.

'umbellifer' developed via Medieval/Neo-Latin from Latin 'umbella' (a diminutive of 'umbra', meaning 'shade' or 'shadow') combined with the suffix '-fer' ('bearing'), and was adopted into English as 'umbellifer'.

Initially, it meant 'bearing a small umbrella or shade (i.e., bearing umbels)', but over time it became used specifically for plants of the umbel-bearing family (Umbelliferae/Apiaceae).