'altitonant' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'altitonans', where 'alti-' meant 'high' and 'tonans' meant 'thundering'.

'altitonans' transformed into the English word 'altitonant' through direct borrowing from Latin.

Initially, it meant 'thundering high', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'having a loud or high-pitched sound'.