'polemist' originates from French, specifically the word 'polémiste', where 'polem-' (from Greek 'polemos') meant 'war'.

'polemist' changed from the Greek word 'polemistes' and passed into French as 'polémiste', and eventually became the modern English word 'polemist'.

Initially, it meant 'warlike person' or 'one engaged in war', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'someone who engages in controversial argument'.