'algalia' originates from Arabic, specifically the word 'al-ghālīyah', where 'al-' meant 'the' and 'ghālīyah' meant 'perfume'.

'al-ghālīyah' transformed into the Spanish word 'algalia', and eventually became the modern English word 'algalia'.

Initially, it meant 'perfume', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a substance obtained from the civet cat, used in perfumery'.