Middle English Aufrican, Affrican, going back to Old English Africanas (plural), borrowed from Latin Āfricānusafrican entry 2
Adjective
borrowed from Latin Āfricānus, from Āfrica (short for Āfrica terra, literally, "African land," from feminine of Āfricus "of the Roman province of Africa [present-day northern Tunisia], of the continent of Africa," from Āfr-, Āfer "of Africa, inhabitant of North Africa [other than Egypt]" —of unknown origin— + -icus-ic entry 1) + -ānus-an entry 2
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1