'autist' originates from Modern English, borrowed from German 'Autist', where the Greek element 'autos' meant 'self'.

'autist' developed via German 'Autist' and earlier medical Latin/Greek 'autismus' (from Greek 'autós'), and entered English medical usage in the early 20th century to describe self-focused withdrawal.

Initially related to the idea of 'self' or 'withdrawal into oneself', the term evolved into a label for a person diagnosed with an autism spectrum condition; it has both clinical and, in some contexts, pejorative uses.