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

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

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