The Spanish word 'lencería' (meaning 'lingerie') has its roots in the Latin word 'linum' meaning 'flax' or 'linen'. This evolved into the Latin 'linteum' meaning 'linen cloth', which then gave rise to 'lintearius' meaning 'linen merchant'. In Spanish, this merchant term became 'lencero', and with the addition of the noun-forming suffix '-ía', it developed into 'lencería'. The word's meaning shifted from referring to general linen goods to specifically denoting undergarments and intimate apparel.

A simpler related Spanish word is 'lienzo', which means 'linen' or 'canvas'. Both 'lienzo' and 'lencería' share the same Latin root 'linum'. While 'lienzo' maintained its meaning related to the fabric itself, 'lencería' evolved to specifically refer to undergarments traditionally made from fine fabrics like linen.

While not immediately obvious, the English word 'linen' is etymologically related to 'lencería', as both derive from the Latin 'linum'. The English term maintained its meaning referring to the fabric itself, while the Spanish term specialized to mean undergarments. The English word 'line' (as in fishing line or flax line) also shares this ancient connection, as linen fibers were historically used to make cord and rope.