'approach' (base of 'approacher') originates from Old French, specifically the verb 'aprochier' (or 'aprocher'), where the prefix 'a-' meant 'to' and the root 'proch/ proche' meant 'near'.

'approach' (and derived noun 'approacher') changed from Middle English 'approchen' (from Old French 'aprochier') and eventually became the modern English word 'approach' and its agent noun 'approacher'.

Initially it meant 'to bring near' or 'to come near', and over time it evolved into the modern senses of 'to come close to' (literal) and 'to move toward or address' (figurative); the agent noun denotes 'one who comes near or makes an approach'.