'barbate' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'barbatus', where 'barba' meant 'beard'.

'barbatus' passed into Late Latin/Old French and Middle English forms such as 'barbat'/'barbate', and eventually the adjective stabilized in modern English as 'barbate'.

Initially it meant 'bearded' in Latin and this basic sense has largely remained the same in English, though the term is now rare or literary.