'ballistician' originates from English, formed by adding the suffix '-ian' to 'ballistic' (itself from earlier terms), where '-ian' meant 'pertaining to or specialist in'.

'ballistic' ultimately traces back to Greek 'ballein' (to throw) via Late Latin 'ballista' (a throwing engine) and Medieval/Modern French; 'ballistic' developed in English to mean 'relating to projectiles', and 'ballistic' + '-ian' produced 'ballistician' to denote a specialist.

Initially related to 'throwing' or mechanical projectile engines, the sense shifted to the scientific study of projectile motion; 'ballistician' now specifically means 'a specialist in ballistics'.