'aquafortis' originates from Latin, specifically the phrase 'aqua fortis', where 'aqua' meant 'water' and 'fortis' meant 'strong'.

'aquafortis' entered English from Latin usage in early modern alchemical and chemical texts as a name for nitric acid; it derives directly from the Latin phrase 'aqua fortis' and was adopted into English scientific vocabulary.

Initially, it meant 'strong water' (literally), used as a name for corrosive liquids in alchemical contexts; over time it became specifically associated with the substance now called 'nitric acid'.