'sightseer' originates from the combination of 'sight' and 'seer', where 'sight' meant 'view' and 'seer' referred to 'one who sees'.

'sightseer' evolved from the Middle English word 'sight' and the Old English word 'seon', eventually becoming the modern English word 'sightseer'.

Initially, it meant 'one who sees sights', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.