Late 19th century; earliest use found in Marine Engineer. From Dutch Ripolin (although this is apparently first attested slightly later than the name of the paint is in English contexts: 1890 or earlier), probably from the name of Carl J. F. Riep, Prussian-born chemist and technical director of various paint factories in Haarlem, Ouder Amstel, and Hilversum, Holland + -o- + an element of uncertain origin.