'autoptically' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'autoptikos', where 'autos' meant 'self' and 'optikos' meant 'of sight'.

'autoptikos' (Greek) passed into Late Latin/Medieval scholarly usage and through New Latin/English forms 'autoptic'/'autoptical', eventually forming the adverb 'autoptically' in modern English.

Initially it meant 'seen by oneself', and over time it has retained that basic sense, now used to mean 'by direct or firsthand observation'.