'absinthine' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'absinthium,' where 'absinthium' referred to the plant wormwood.

'absinthium' transformed into the French word 'absinthe,' and eventually became the modern English word 'absinthine' through Middle English.

Initially, it referred to the plant wormwood, but over time it evolved into its current meaning of relating to or characteristic of wormwood or absinthe.