Mid 17th century. From classical Latin alabarches, variant with dissimilation (in MSS and editions; compare Hellenistic Greek ἀλαβάρχης (Josephus)) of arabarches ruler of Arabs (Cicero), official in charge of customs, especially in Egypt (Juvenal) from Hellenistic Greek ἀραβάρχης from ancient Greek Ἄραβ-, Ἄραψ + -αρχης.