medical (adj.) 1640s, from Fr. médical, from L.L. medicalis "of a physician," from L. medicus "physician" (n.); "healing" (adj.), from mederi "to heal, give medical attention to, cure," originally "know the best course for," from an early specialization of the PIE root *med- "to measure, limit, consider, advise" (cf. Gk. medomai "be mindful of," Avestan vi-mad- "physician," L. meditari "think or reflect on, consider," Ir. miduir "judge," Gk. medein "to rule," O.E. metan "to measure out"); also see meditation. The earlier adjective in English in this sense was medicinal (mid-14c.)

practitioner 1540s, a hybrid formed from practitian (c.1500, from Fr. practicien, from L.L. practicus "fit for action," see practice) on model of parishioner.

see: therapeutic healer