'phrasal' originates from English, formed from the noun 'phrase' plus the adjectival suffix '-al'; 'phrase' ultimately comes from Greek 'phrasis' meaning 'speech, manner of speaking'.

'phrase' entered English via Old French and Latin from Greek 'phrasis'; the adjective 'phrasal' was created in the late 19th century by adding '-al' to 'phrase'.

Initially it meant 'of or relating to a phrase' in general; over time it developed a more specialized linguistic use (e.g. describing 'phrasal verbs').