[In 16th c. a. F. arboriste, now refashioned as herboriste: see Littré, and cf. ARBOUR. In later use f. L. arbor tree + -IST; so in mod.F.; arbolist was after Sp. arbol tree.]
† a. A keeper of a ‘herber,’ an herbalist (obs.). b. A scientific student or cultivator of trees.
1578. Lyte, Dodoens, 13. Some Arboristes do call it [Anthyllis] Glaudiola.
1645. Howell, Dodona’s Grove, 11. The Mulberry, which the Arbolists observe to be long in begetting … his buds.
1648. W. Lawson, Orch. & Gard., III. i. (1668), 2. Most of our great Arborists plant Apricocks, Cherries, and Peaches by a wall.
1755. in Johnson.
1883. R. Hutchison, Trans. Highl. & Agric. Soc., XV. 35. The intelligent arborist.
