'clinician' originates from English (formed in the late 19th century), ultimately from Greek 'klínē' via Latin 'clinicus' and French 'clinique', where the Greek 'klínē' meant 'bed'.

'clinician' developed from the adjective 'clinical' (from French 'clinique', from Latin 'clinicus', from Greek 'klínē' meaning 'bed') with the agent-forming suffix '-ian' to create the noun 'clinician' in modern English.

Initially the root referred to 'of the bed' or 'bedside' (relating to treating patients at the bedside); over time the term evolved to mean 'a practitioner who works directly with patients' and now denotes a healthcare professional involved in clinical practice.