Definition & Meaning of "flatterer"in English

What is the origin of the term "flatterer" and how is it used?

"Flatterer" comes from the Middle English word flateren, from Old French flatter, meaning to stroke or caress, originally in a literal sense, and by the 14th century it had developed the figurative sense of giving excessive or insincere praise. It came to describe someone who compliments others not out of genuine admiration but to gain favor, advantage, or influence. The term appears in literature, etiquette guides, and everyday speech, often in moral or social critique. It is generally derogatory, implying deceit or opportunism, though it is mild compared with more offensive insults.