c.1400 (n.), “disciple of Aristotle,” from O.Fr. perypatetique (14c.), from L. peripateticus “pertaining to the disciples or philosophy of Aristotle,” from Gk. peripatetikos “given to walking about” (especially while teaching), from peripatein, from peri- “around” (see peri-) + patein “to walk.” Aristotle’s custom was to teach while strolling through the Lyceum in Athens. In English, the philosophical meaning is older than that of “person who wanders about” (1610s). As an adj., attested in English 1560s in the philosophical sense, 1640s in the literal sense.