'adulation' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'adulatio', where 'ad-' meant 'to' and 'ululare' meant 'to howl'.

'adulatio' transformed into the Old French word 'adulacion', and eventually became the modern English word 'adulation'.

Initially, it meant 'to flatter or fawn over someone', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'excessive admiration or praise'.