'abaculus' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'abaculus', a diminutive of 'abacus', where 'abacus' meant 'a board or slab'.

'abaculus' was used in Latin to describe small tiles, and eventually became the modern English word 'abaculi' as its plural form.

Initially, it meant 'small board or tile', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.