'arborist' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'arbor', where 'arbor' meant 'tree', combined with the agent suffix '-ist' (from Latin/French formation) meaning 'one who practices or is concerned with'.

'arborist' was formed in English in the 19th century by combining Latin 'arbor' (from Latin) and the agent suffix '-ist' (from French/Latin patterns), developing alongside words like 'arboriculture' and becoming the modern English word 'arborist'.

Initially it meant 'one who cultivates or cares for trees', and over time it has retained that core meaning, broadly covering professionals who manage, inspect, prune, or treat trees.