Mid 19th century; earliest use found in Henry Watts (1815–1884), chemist. From phyco- + ancient Greek κύανος a dark-blue mineral, after German †Phykokyan.
Definition of phycocyan in US English:
phycocyan
noun
Biochemistry rare
Phycocyanin.
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in Henry Watts (1815–1884), chemist. From phyco- + ancient Greek κύανος a dark-blue mineral, after German † Phykokyan.