'counterable' originates from English, specifically formed from the verb 'counter' and the adjectival suffix '-able', where 'counter' ultimately comes via Old French 'contre' from Latin 'contra' meaning 'against', and the suffix '-able' (from Latin '-abilis') meant 'capable of'.

'counter' changed from Old French 'contre' and Middle English forms (e.g. 'countre'/'contrer') and eventually became the modern English verb 'counter'; the adjectival formation with '-able' was created in Modern English to form 'counterable'.

Initially 'counter' meant 'against' (opposition); over time it developed the verbal sense 'to oppose or respond', and 'counterable' came to mean 'able to be opposed or refuted'.