'amethystine' originates from the Greek word 'amethystos', where 'a-' meant 'not' and 'methystos' meant 'intoxicated'.

'amethystos' transformed into the Latin word 'amethystinus', and eventually became the modern English word 'amethystine'.

Initially, it referred to the gemstone believed to prevent intoxication, but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'purple in color'.