late 14c., "spiritually allegorical, pertaining to mysteries of faith," from Old French mistique "mysterious, full of mystery" (14c.), or directly from Latin mysticus "mystical, mystic, of secret rites" (source also of Italian mistico, Spanish mistico), from Greek mystikos "secret, mystic, connected with the mysteries," from mystes "one who has been initiated" (see mystery, n.1). Meaning "pertaining to occult practices or ancient religions" first recorded 1610s.

"exponent of mystical theology," 1670s, from mystic, adj.. In Middle English, the noun meant "symbolic meaning, interpretation" (early 14c.).