'benzoate' originates from 'French', specifically the word 'benzoate', where 'benzo-' referred to 'benzoin' and '-ate' is a suffix used in chemistry to denote salts or esters.

'benzoate' changed from 'French' word 'benzoate' and eventually became the modern English word 'benzoate'.

Initially, it meant 'a salt or ester of benzoic acid', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.