'unrefined' originates from the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' and the word 'refined' from Latin 'refinire', where 're-' meant 'again' and 'finire' meant 'to finish'.

'refinire' transformed into the Old French word 'refiner', and eventually became the modern English word 'refine', with 'unrefined' being its negation.

Initially, it meant 'not finished or polished', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'not processed or lacking sophistication'.