'aurist' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'auris', where 'aur-' meant 'ear' and the suffix '-ist' denoted a specialist.

'aurist' changed from French 'auriste' or New Latin 'aurista' and eventually became the modern English word 'aurist'.

Initially, it meant 'one who deals with the ear', but over time it evolved into the specialized meaning 'a physician who treats ear diseases'; the term later became largely archaic as 'otologist' came into common use.