'amylan' originates from the Greek word 'amylon', where 'a-' meant 'not' and 'mylon' meant 'ground' or 'milled'.

'amylon' transformed into the French word 'amylane', and eventually became the modern English word 'amylan'.

Initially, it referred to 'unmilled starch', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a component of starch'.