'sightseer' originates from the English words 'sight' and 'see', where 'sight' meant 'a view or scene' and 'see' meant 'to perceive with the eyes'.

'sightseer' evolved from the combination of 'sight' and 'see', forming a noun to describe someone who looks at sights.

Initially, it meant 'someone who looks at sights', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.