1610s, from Late Latin epiglottis, from Greek epiglottis, literally "(that which is) upon the tongue," from epi "on" (see epi-) + glottis, from glotta, variant of glossa "tongue" (see gloss, n.2). An earlier form was epiglote (early 15c.), from Old French epiglotte. Related: Epiglottic.