'astrolabical' originates from Medieval Latin/Latinized forms related to 'astrolabe' (Medieval Latin astrolabium), ultimately from Arabic 'al-aṣṭurlāb' and Greek 'astrolabion', where Greek 'astron' meant 'star' and the element related to 'lab-' came from 'lambanein' meaning 'to take' (an instrument for taking the positions of stars).

'astrolabical' developed as an adjectival form from Medieval Latin 'astrolabium' -> Old French/Medieval English 'astrolabe' -> English adjective forms 'astrolabic' and the extended variant 'astrolabical'.

Initially it referred specifically to things 'of or pertaining to an astrolabe' (the instrument for measuring stellar positions); the meaning has remained essentially the same, though the word is now rare and largely historical or descriptive.