1920s; earliest use found in The Official Gazette. From mer- (in mercurico-) + thio- + -late, as alteration of mercurithiosalicylate. Originally a trade name.
Definition of Merthiolate in US English:
Merthiolate
nounməːˈθʌɪəleɪt
Pharmacology
Thiomersal.
Origin
1920s; earliest use found in The Official Gazette. From mer- (in mercurico-) + thio- + -late, as alteration of mercurithiosalicylate. Originally a trade name.