1834 in the psychic sense; see clairvoyant, adj.. Earlier it was used in the sense "clear-sighted person" (1794). Fem. form was Clairvoyante.

"having psychic gifts," 1837, earlier "having insight" (1670s), from special use of French clairvoyant "clear-sighted, discerning, judicious" (13c.), from clair (see clear, adj.) + voyant "seeing," present participle of voir, from Latin videre "to see" (see vision).