Obs. Forms 4–5 alcamister, -ystre, alkamyster(e, -istre, 5–6 alchymister, 6 alcumister. [f. OFr. alquemiste, alkemiste + -ER1, the native termination of the agent being added, as in barrist-er, chorist-er, astronom-er, etc.] The earlier form of ALCHEMIST.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Chan. Yem. Prol. & T., 651. Whan this alcamister saugh his tyme [v.r. alcamystre, alkamystre, -mistre, -mystere, -mistrie].
1477. Norton, Ord. Alch., in Ashm. (1652), 10. An Alchimister wise.
1576. Baker, trans. Gesner’s Jewell of Health, 173 b. A certaine Alchymister in Padua.
1586. Ferne, Blaz. Gentrie. Of the nature of Alcumisters.
