'alcali' originates from Arabic, specifically the word 'al-qaly', where 'al-' meant 'the' and 'qaly' meant 'ashes of saltwort'.

'al-qaly' transformed into the Latin word 'alkali', and eventually became the modern English word 'alkali' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'ashes of saltwort', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a basic, ionic salt'.