'adephagan' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'adephagos,' where 'adeph-' meant 'gluttonous' and '-phagos' meant 'eater.'

'adephagos' transformed into the scientific Latin term 'Adephaga,' and eventually became the modern English word 'adephagan.'

Initially, it meant 'gluttonous eater,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a member of the suborder Adephaga.'