'reverser' originates from English, specifically formed from the word 'reverse' + the agentive suffix '-er'; 'reverse' ultimately comes from Latin 'revertere', where the prefix 're-' meant 'back' and the root 'vertere' meant 'to turn'.

'reverse' passed into Middle English from Old French 'reverser', which in turn came from Latin 'revertere'; the English agent noun 'reverser' was later formed by adding '-er' to 'reverse'.

Initially the Latin root implied 'to turn back'; over time the English noun 'reverser' evolved to mean 'one or that which causes reversal', including specialized mechanical meanings (e.g., thrust reverser).