'alabastron' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'ἀλάβαστρον', where 'ἀ-' meant 'not' and 'λάβαστρον' referred to a type of vessel.

'ἀλάβαστρον' transformed into the Latin word 'alabastrum', and eventually became the modern English word 'alabastron'.

Initially, it referred to a specific type of vessel, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.