'refresher' originates from English, specifically the word 'refresh' + the agent suffix '-er', where 're-' meant 'again' and 'fresh' meant 'new' or 'vigorous'.

'refresh' changed from Old French 'refreschir' (or variants) and entered Middle English as 'refreshen', eventually becoming the modern English verb 'refresh'; the noun 'refresher' was formed by adding '-er' to create an agent or thing that refreshes.

Initially, it meant 'to make fresh again' or 'renew freshness'; over time it broadened to include restoring energy, health, or knowledge, yielding the modern senses of a restorative item or a short review.