'allophanate' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'allos' meaning 'other' and 'phaino' meaning 'to show'.

'allophanate' was derived from the Greek word 'allophanēs', which eventually became the modern English word 'allophanate'.

Initially, it meant 'to show something different', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a salt or ester of allophanic acid'.