1724, "a contriver, plotter," agent noun from scheme (v.). Schematist was used from 1690s for "framer of a system or doctrine." Schemist is from 1640s as "astrologer," 1753 as "projector."
Entries linking to schemer
scheme v.
1716, transitive, "reduce to a scheme;" 1767, "devise a scheme, plot, plan," from scheme (n.). Intransitive sense of "form plans, contrive" is by 1842. Related: Schemed; scheming.