The Spanish word 'mahometano' (meaning 'follower of Muhammad') comes from the French word 'mahométan' with the same meaning. The French term was formed by combining 'Mahomet' (the French version of 'Muhammad') with the suffix '-an' meaning 'belonging to'. The name 'Mahomet' itself ultimately derives from Arabic 'محمد' (Muhammad), which means 'praised one'.

This word represents an older European way of referring to Muslims, though it's worth noting that in modern usage, the terms 'musulmán' or 'islámico' are generally preferred in Spanish.

A related Spanish word is 'Mahoma', which is the Spanish name for the prophet Muhammad. While 'mahometano' is derived from the French version of this name, both words ultimately trace back to the same Arabic source.

In English, we can see this same etymology in the now-archaic term 'Mahometan', which like Spanish 'mahometano' came through French. Modern English primarily uses 'Muslim' instead. The name 'Mohammed' or 'Muhammad' in English also shares this Arabic origin, though it comes through a more direct route of borrowing.