'balancer' originates from Old French and late Latin roots, specifically from Old French 'balance' (from Late Latin 'bilanx'), where the prefix 'bi-' meant 'two' and Latin 'lanx' meant 'scale' or 'pan'.

'balancer' changed from Middle English agent forms derived from Old French 'balance' and ultimately became the modern English noun 'balancer' as an agent/thing that balances.

Initially related to a two‑pan scale or the idea of weighing ('a thing with two pans'), over time it broadened to mean any device, program, or person that balances or evens out forces, loads, or values.