c. 1600, "an action of chief importance;" 1610s, "a work of pre-eminent merit, a masterpiece," from master (n.) + work (n.). Probably based on a Dutch or German model (compare Middle Low German mesterwerk, German Meisterwerk).
masterful
masterly
master-mind
masterpiece
master-stroke
master-work
mastery
mast-head
mastic
masticable
masticate
