'cyanogenic' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'kyanos,' where 'kyan-' meant 'dark blue' and '-genic' meant 'producing.'

'kyanos' transformed into the French word 'cyanogène,' and eventually became the modern English word 'cyanogenic' through scientific terminology.

Initially, it meant 'producing a blue substance,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'producing cyanide.'