A person who studies or specializes in the origins and histories of words.
From etymology + -er (one who does something). This term emerged alongside etymologist in the 17th-18th centuries as linguistic study became formalized, though etymologist eventually became the standard term.
Etymologer is the older-sounding cousin of etymologist—both mean the same thing, but etymologer almost sounds like it belongs in a Victorian-era novel about scholarly adventures.
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