'artisan' originates from Middle French, specifically the word 'artisan' (or 'artisane'), where the root 'art-' (from Latin 'ars, artis') meant 'skill, craft'.

'artisan' changed from the Middle French word 'artisan' (borrowed into Middle English) and eventually became the modern English word 'artisan' with little alteration in form.

Initially, it meant 'a person skilled in an art or craft'; over time the word retained this core meaning but also came to emphasize small-scale or traditional production methods ('artisan' goods).