'firestarter' originates from the combination of 'fire' and 'starter', where 'fire' meant 'a combustion or burning' and 'starter' meant 'one who initiates'.

'firestarter' evolved from the Old English word 'fyr' for 'fire' and the Middle English 'sterter' for 'starter', eventually becoming the modern English word 'firestarter'.

Initially, it meant 'one who starts a fire', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.