'zonate' originates from New Latin, specifically the adjective 'zonatus', where 'zona' meant 'belt' or 'girdle'.

'zonate' traces back through Latin 'zona' (from Greek 'zōnē' ζώνη meaning 'girdle' or 'belt') and was used in New/Modern Latin as 'zonatus' before entering English as 'zonate' in scientific usage.

Initially it meant 'belted' or 'girdled' (literally having a belt), but over time it evolved into the modern specialized sense 'having zones' or 'arranged in bands'.