'camcorder' originates from English, specifically a blend of 'camera' and 'recorder', where 'camera' meant 'a device for recording visual images' and 'recorder' meant 'a device for recording sound or images'.

'camcorder' was coined in the late 20th century as a combination of 'camera' and 'recorder', reflecting the merging of these two technologies into a single device.

Initially, it meant 'a device for recording video', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.