'alembicated' originates from the Latin word 'alembicus,' which referred to a type of distillation apparatus, where 'al-' meant 'the' and 'ambix' meant 'cup.'

'alembicus' transformed into the French word 'alambiqué,' and eventually became the modern English word 'alembicated.'

Initially, it referred to the process of distillation, but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'excessively refined or intricate.'