'antler' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'antoillier', where 'ante-' meant 'before' and '-oillier' referred to 'eye'.

'antoillier' transformed into the Middle English word 'aunteler', and eventually became the modern English word 'antler'.

Initially, it referred to the 'brow tine of a stag's antler', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'the entire branched horn of a deer'.