The Spanish word "pimienta" (pepper) comes from Late Latin "pigmenta" meaning "spices or condiments". This Late Latin word developed from Classical Latin "pigmentum" meaning "color" or "paint", which itself was formed using the suffix "-mentum" (indicating a result or instrument). The semantic shift from "color/paint" to "spices" likely occurred because many spices were also used as pigments or dyes in ancient times, and both categories of substances were valuable trade goods that added color and enhancement to their respective uses.

A related Spanish word is "pigmento" (pigment), which maintained the original Latin meaning related to coloring substances. This shows how the same Latin root evolved into two different Spanish words - one referring to coloring substances and the other to the spice pepper.

English speakers can remember "pimienta" by connecting it to the English word "pigment". Both words trace back to Latin "pigmentum". While "pigment" retained the original meaning related to coloring substances, the Spanish "pimienta" underwent a meaning shift to refer specifically to pepper as a spice. This connection makes sense historically since many spices were also used as natural dyes or pigments.