'bowman' originates from Old English, specifically from the words 'boga' (meaning 'bow') and 'mann' (meaning 'man').

'bowman' developed in Middle English as a compound of 'bow' + 'man' (Middle English forms included 'bowman' or 'bowman(e)') and eventually became the modern English word 'bowman'.

Initially, it meant 'a man who uses a bow' and over time the core meaning has remained largely the same, though usage has become somewhat archaic or literary in modern English.