'autoist' originates from English, formed from the combining form 'auto-' (from Greek 'autos'), where 'autos' meant 'self', together with the English suffix '-ist' (ultimately from French '-iste' / Latin '-ista'), meaning 'one who is concerned with or practices'.

'autoist' developed in the early 20th century as a formation from 'auto' (a short form of 'automobile') plus the agentive suffix '-ist'. 'Automobile' itself comes from French 'automobile', from Greek 'autos' ('self') and Latin 'mobilis' ('movable'), and the clipped form 'auto' entered English usage before 'autoist' appeared.

Initially it meant 'a person associated with or using automobiles' and over time came to be used more specifically as 'a driver of an automobile' (though the term has remained relatively rare).