'arsanilic' originates from New Latin 'arsanilicus', formed in the 19th century for chemical nomenclature by combining elements referring to arsenic and aniline-related compounds.

'arsanilicus' (New Latin, 19th c.) was adopted into English as 'arsanilic' to name compounds such as arsanilic acid; the modern English form is 'arsanilic'.

Initially it named substances specifically related to arsanilic acid; over time its use has remained technical and largely restricted to chemistry and historical references to organoarsenic additives.