'autoscopic' originates from Greek, specifically the elements 'autos' meaning 'self' and 'skopein' meaning 'to look' (via Neo‑Latin/Latin medical formations).

'autoscopic' entered English via Neo‑Latin/Late Latin medical usage (e.g. 'autoscopicus' / 'autoscopicus') in the late 19th century, based on the Greek components 'autos' + 'skopein'.

Initially it meant 'relating to observing oneself' in a general sense; over time it became specialized in clinical and neurological contexts to refer to experiences (including hallucinations) of perceiving one's own body or double.