Mid 17th century; earliest use found in James Howell (?1594–1666), historian and political writer. From post-classical Latin emphyteuticus of the nature of, or held by, emphyteusis (3rd cent.) from Byzantine Greek ἐμϕυτευτικός of the nature of, or held by, emphyteusis from ancient Greek ἐμϕυτεύειν to engraft + -τικός, suffix forming adjectives from verbs.