'antler' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'antoillier', where 'ante-' meant 'before' and '-oillier' referred to 'eye', indicating the position of the antlers in front of the eyes.

'antoillier' transformed into the Middle English word 'aunteler', and eventually became the modern English word 'antler'.

Initially, it referred to the 'front eye', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'branched horn on deer'.