'acyloin' originates from the combination of 'acyl' and the suffix '-oin', where 'acyl' refers to a functional group derived from an acid by removal of a hydroxyl group, and '-oin' is a suffix used in organic chemistry.

'acyloin' was coined in the 20th century as a term in organic chemistry to describe a specific type of compound.

Initially, it meant a compound with a hydroxyl group next to a carbonyl group, and this meaning has remained consistent in modern usage.