'alfaquin' originates from Arabic, specifically the word 'al-faqīh,' where 'al-' meant 'the' and 'faqīh' meant 'jurist' or 'learned person.'

'al-faqīh' transformed into the Spanish word 'alfaquín,' and eventually became the modern English word 'alfaquin' through historical usage in medieval Spain.

Initially, it meant 'jurist' or 'learned person,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'Muslim physician or healer.'