1816, "one who philanders, a male flirt," agent noun from philander (v.). Now more specifically "man who readily or frequently enters into casual sexual relationships with women."
Entries linking to philanderer
philander v.
1737, "pay court to women, especially without serious intent; flirt," from the noun meaning "a lover" (1700), from Philander, popular name for a lover in stories, drama, and poetry, from Greek adjective philandros "with love for people," perhaps mistaken as meaning "a loving man," from phil- "loving" (see philo-) + andr-, stem of anēr "man, male, husband" (see anthropo-). In later 20c. use more sexual than flirtatious. Related: Philandered; philandering.