Late 17th century (in an earlier sense). From post-classical Latin acerbation-, acerbatio embitterment, aggravation (3rd cent.) from classical Latin acerbāt-, past participial stem of acerbāre + -iō-ion.
Definition of acerbation in US English:
acerbation
nounˌasəˈbeɪʃn
Embitterment; a feeling of bitterness.
Origin
Late 17th century (in an earlier sense). From post-classical Latin acerbation-, acerbatio embitterment, aggravation (3rd cent.) from classical Latin acerbāt-, past participial stem of acerbāre + -iō -ion.