'amphibolitic' originates from the word 'amphibolite', which is derived from the Greek word 'amphibolos', meaning 'ambiguous' or 'doubtful', due to the varied mineral composition of the rock.

'amphibolos' transformed into the French word 'amphibolite', and eventually became the modern English word 'amphibolite', from which 'amphibolitic' is derived.

Initially, it referred to the ambiguous nature of the rock's composition, but over time it evolved to specifically describe the rock type and its characteristics.