'balsamation' originates from Modern English, formed from the noun 'balsam' plus the suffix '-ation' (from Latin '-ationem' meaning 'the act of'). 'Balsam' itself comes from Late Latin 'balsamum', from Greek 'βάλσαμον' ('balsamon'), ultimately from a Semitic source such as Hebrew 'בֹּשָׂם' ('bosam') meaning 'spice' or 'perfume'.

'balsamation' developed by combining English 'balsam' (from Middle English 'balsam', Old French influence from Latin) with the productive noun-forming suffix '-ation', yielding a term for treating or preserving with balsam or similar resins.

Initially, related words referred primarily to the aromatic resin itself ('balsam'); over time, compounds such as 'balsamation' came to denote the action or process of applying that resin for preservation or embalming, especially in historical or technical contexts.