'episcopist' originates from Latin and Greek, specifically the Latin word 'episcopus' and the Greek 'episkopos', where 'epi-' meant 'over' and 'skopos' meant 'watcher' or 'overseer'.

'episcopist' changed from the Medieval Latin word 'episcopus' (used as the title for a bishop) and was later formed in English by adding the agent suffix '-ist' to denote an adherent, eventually becoming the modern English word 'episcopist'.

Initially, it meant 'overseer' (a title for a bishop), but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a person who supports episcopacy or the authority of bishops'.