early 15c., from French implanter "to insert, engraft," from assimilated form of in- "into, in, on, upon" (see in-(2)) + planter "to plant" (see plant, n.). Related: Implanted; implanting.

1890 as "thing implanted;" 1941 as "action of implanting," from implant, v.. Related: Implants, by 1981 as short for breast implants (1976).