Late Middle English (in an earlier sense). As adjective from Middle French abstersif, adjective (French abstersif; 1314 in Old French) and its etymon post-classical Latin abstersivus from classical Latin absters-, past participial stem of abstergēre + -īvus. As noun partly from Middle French abstersif, noun and partly from post-classical Latin abstersiva, use as noun of neuter plural of abstersivus. Compare Spanish abstersivo, Portuguese abstersivo.