'ambuscado' originates from Spanish, specifically the word 'emboscada,' where 'em-' meant 'in' and 'bosque' meant 'forest.'

'emboscada' transformed into the English word 'ambuscado' and eventually became the modern English word 'ambush' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'a surprise attack from a concealed position,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.