'anatomist' originates from Medieval Latin, specifically the word 'anatomista', where 'anatomia' meant 'dissection' or 'anatomy' and the suffix '-ista' meant 'one who practices'.

'anatomista' transformed into the French word 'anatomiste', and eventually became the modern English word 'anatomist' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'one who practices anatomy or dissection', and this meaning has remained the same in modern usage as 'a person who studies anatomy'.