'arboraceous' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'arbor', where 'arbor' meant 'tree', combined with the adjectival suffix '-aceous' (from Latin '-aceus') meaning 'of the nature of'.

'arboraceous' passed into English via Medieval/Neo-Latin forms such as 'arboraceus' or 'arboraceous' in scientific and descriptive Latin and then into modern English as 'arboraceous'.

Initially it meant 'pertaining to or resembling trees', and this core meaning has remained largely stable into modern usage.