'bituminous' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'bitūmen,' where 'bitūmen' meant 'a kind of mineral pitch.'

'bitūmen' transformed into the French word 'bitumineux,' and eventually became the modern English word 'bituminous' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'a kind of mineral pitch,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'containing or resembling bitumen.'