'carbonaceous' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'carbonaceus,' where 'carbon-' meant 'coal' or 'charcoal.'

'carbonaceus' transformed into the French word 'carbonacé,' and eventually became the modern English word 'carbonaceous' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'pertaining to coal or charcoal,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'containing or composed of carbon.'