Late 16th century; earliest use found in Thomas Twyne (1543–1613), physician. As adjective from classical Latin murrinus (also myrrhinus), adjective from murra + -inus. As noun from classical Latin murrinum a murrhine vase or cup, use as noun (usually in plural murrina) of neuter of murrinus. Compare Hellenistic Greek μόυρρινος, adjective (also used as noun in feminine μουρρίνη, μορρίνη murra).