The Spanish word 'botánico' (meaning 'botanical') traces its roots back to Ancient Greek. It started with the Greek word 'botáne' (βοτάνη) meaning 'herb' or 'plant'. From this, the Greeks derived the adjective 'botanikós' (βοτανικός) meaning 'relating to plants'. This word was then borrowed into Medieval Latin as 'botanicus', keeping the same meaning, before finally making its way into Spanish as 'botánico'.

This etymology shows how the basic concept of plants and herbs in Ancient Greek developed into a more scientific or academic term, reflecting the development of botany as a field of study.

Some related Spanish words include 'botánica' (botany, the science of plants), 'botanista' (botanist), and 'herboteca' (herb garden). These words all share the same Greek root relating to plants and herbs.

English speakers will recognize many cognates from this same Greek root, including 'botany', 'botanical', and 'botanist'. The English and Spanish words are very similar because they both borrowed this scientific terminology through Latin, ultimately from the same Greek source. Even the word 'botanic' as in 'Botanic Gardens' shows this same origin.