'artillerist' originates from French, specifically the word 'artilleriste', where 'artiller-' related to 'artillery' (weapons/equipment) and the agent suffix '-iste' indicated a person associated with the thing.

'artillerist' changed from Middle French 'artilleriste' and Middle English adaptations of 'artillery' (Old French 'artillerie') and eventually became the modern English noun 'artillerist', formed by adding the agent suffix to 'artillery'.

Initially, related terms referred primarily to 'military engines, equipment or implements' ('artillery' as weapons). Over time the sense broadened to include the branch of service and the personnel who operate those weapons; thus 'artillerist' came to mean 'a person who operates artillery'.