noun, plural po·thos, po·thos·es. any of various tropical climbing vines belonging to the genera Pothos and Epipremnum, of the arum family, especially E. aureum, widely cultivated for its variegated foliage.

What pothos means?

: a southeast Asian climbing plant (Epipremnum aureum synonym Scindapsus aureus) of the arum family widely grown especially as a houseplant for its leathery or waxy heart-shaped green leaves that are spotted or streaked with golden yellow or white.

Why is pothos called pothos?

In 1880 when it was first described, it was named Pothos aureus, which is in part why it is often commonly referred to as a "pothos". After a flower was observed in 1962, it was given the new name of Raphidophora aurea.