'atabal' originates from Spanish, specifically the word 'atabal', ultimately from Arabic 'ṭabl' (طبل), where 'ṭabl' meant 'drum'.

'atabal' entered Spanish from Arabic (often with the Arabic definite article 'al-' incorporated), and was borrowed into English in the modern period as 'atabal' with the English plural 'atabals'.

Initially it meant 'drum' in Arabic, and over time the word kept the general sense of a percussion instrument (a drum or kettledrum) in Spanish and later in English.