Late 16th century; earliest use found in John Harvey (bap. 1564, d. 1592), astrologer. From poly- + -grapher. In sense 1 after post-classical Latin poligraphia; compare earlier steganographer. In senses 2, 3, and 4 ultimately after post-classical Latin polygraphus person who writes on many subjects or its etymon Hellenistic Greek πολυγράϕος (adjective) writing much; with sense 2 compare earlier polygraphy and later polygraph; with sense 3 compare slightly later polygraph.