'acetal' originates from German, specifically the word 'Acetal', where 'acet-' referred to 'acetic acid' and '-al' was derived from 'alcohol'.

'Acetal' was borrowed from the German word 'Acetal' and became the modern English word 'acetal'.

Initially, it referred to a specific type of compound formed from acetic acid and alcohol, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.