'crotaline' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'Crotalinae', where the root 'Crotal-' (from Greek 'krotalon') meant 'rattle'.

'crotaline' changed from the New Latin taxonomic name 'Crotalinae' (used for the group of rattle-associated vipers) and entered English as an adjective/noun referring to that group and their characteristics.

Initially the root referred to 'rattle' (the Greek 'krotalon'), but over time it came to denote the group of pit vipers (Crotalinae) and things relating to them; its current meaning is 'relating to or a member of pit vipers'.