'abrine' originates from the scientific name of the plant 'Abrus precatorius', where 'Abrus' is derived from the Greek word 'habros', meaning 'delicate'.

'Abrus precatorius' was named in the 18th century, and the term 'abrine' was derived from this scientific name to describe the toxic protein found in its seeds.

Initially, it referred specifically to the protein in the seeds, and this meaning has remained consistent.