'alpinist' originates from French, specifically the word 'alpiniste,' where 'alpin-' referred to the Alps and '-iste' denoted a person engaged in a particular activity.

'alpiniste' transformed into the English word 'alpinist' and has been used to describe mountain climbers, especially those in the Alps.

Initially, it meant 'a person who climbs the Alps,' but over time it evolved to include climbers of any mountain range.