'non-aniline' originates from Modern English, specifically the prefix 'non-' (from Latin 'non' meaning 'not') combined with 'aniline' (the chemical name).

'aniline' ultimately comes from Portuguese/Spanish 'anil' and Arabic 'anil', which trace back to Sanskrit 'nīla' meaning 'indigo, dark blue', later forming the French chemical name 'aniline' and then the English 'aniline'; 'non-' (meaning 'not') was attached in Modern English to form 'non-aniline'.

Initially, the root 'anil' referred to the indigo dye plant or the dye itself; over time 'aniline' came to denote the specific organic compound C6H5NH2 and related derivatives. 'Non-aniline' therefore developed to mean 'not containing or derived from aniline'.