The word 'zester' is a modern English formation, combining the noun 'zest' with the instrumental suffix '-er'. 'Zest' entered English in the 17th century from the French 'zeste', specifically referring to the peel of citrus fruit used for flavoring. While the ultimate origin of 'zeste' is obscure, it became the established term for the fragrant, colored part of the rind. By adding the productive agent suffix '-er', which denotes a tool or device, English created 'zester' in the 20th century to logically name the specialized kitchen implement designed for the singular purpose of removing zest.

Structure: zest (citrus peel) + er (agent/instrument suffix) zest: From French 'zeste' (orange or lemon peel), of unknown origin. It functions as the core semantic root, referring to the aromatic outer skin of citrus fruit. er: From Old English '-ere', a Germanic agent suffix. It functions as a derivational suffix indicating an instrument or tool that performs the action related to the root.