'scoffer' originates from the verb 'scoff' (Middle English 'scoffen'), formed with the agent suffix '-er'.

'scoff' appears in Middle English as 'scoffen' (mid-14th century) and developed into modern English 'scoff'; the noun 'scoffer' was formed by adding the suffix '-er' to denote an agent.

Initially, 'scoff' (and related forms) could mean both 'to mock' and, in some contexts, 'to eat greedily.' Over time, the primary sense for 'scoffer' became 'one who mocks,' while the 'eat greedily' sense became rare or archaic.