'alkool' originates from Arabic, specifically the word 'al-kuḥl', where 'al-' meant 'the' and 'kuḥl' referred to a fine powder used as eyeliner, which later evolved to mean distilled spirits.

'al-kuḥl' transformed into the French word 'alcool', and eventually became the modern English word 'alcohol' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'a fine powder used as eyeliner', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'distilled spirits'.