C19: from German, from Medieval Latin mercurium captans, literally: seizing quicksilver
mercaptan in American English
(mərˈkæpˌtæn)
noun
any of a class of thiol compounds analogous to the alcohols, characterized by the substitution of sulfur for oxygen in the OH radical and by strong, unpleasant odors; hydrosulfide
Word origin
Ger, contr. < ML mercurium captans, lit., seizing mercury < L mercurius, mercury (see mercury, n.) + captans, prp. of captare, to seize, freq. of capere: see have