'alizarine' originates from the French word 'alizarine', which was derived from the Arabic word 'al-'aṣfar', meaning 'yellow'.

'alizarine' changed from the Arabic word 'al-'aṣfar' to the French 'alizarine', and eventually became the modern English word 'alizarine'.

Initially, it referred to a yellow pigment, but over time it evolved into its current meaning of a red dye.