'alatern' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'alaternus', where 'ala-' meant 'wing' and 'ternus' meant 'three each'.

'alaternus' transformed into the French word 'alaterne', and eventually became the modern English word 'alatern' through Middle English.

Initially, it referred to a specific type of shrub, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.