'aubergine' originates from French, specifically the word 'aubergine', which was borrowed from Catalan 'albergínia' and ultimately from Arabic 'al-bādinjān' (where Arabic 'al-' is the definite article and 'bādinjān' referred to the plant).

'aubergine' changed from Catalan word 'albergínia' (from Arabic 'al-bādinjān'), entered French as 'aubergine', and was later adopted into English in the 19th century as 'aubergine'.

Initially, it meant 'the plant/fruit (eggplant)', but over time it also developed the additional meaning of 'a deep purplish color' named after the vegetable.