'appreciator' originates from Latin, specifically the Late Latin verb 'appretiare' (from ad- + 'pretium' meaning 'price'), via Old French 'aprecier'/'apprécier' and Middle English 'apreciaten'.

'appretiare' (Late Latin) became Old French 'aprecier'/'apprécier', which entered Middle English as 'apreciaten' and later developed into the modern English verb 'appreciate'; the agent noun 'appreciator' was formed in English by adding the suffix '-or'.

Initially it meant 'to set a price or value' (i.e., to price), and over time it broadened to mean 'to value highly' or 'to understand the worth of'—the noun now denotes someone who values or enjoys something.