Literally, one who makes experiments. Hence its appropriate signification is, a physician who enters on practice without a regular professional education, and relies on the success of his own experience. Hence, the word is used also for a quack, an ignorant pretender to medical skill, a charlatan.

Pertaining to experiments or experience.

Versed in experiments; as an empiric alchimist.

Known only by experience; derived from experiment; used and applied without science; as empiric skill; empiric remedies. I have avoided that empirical morality that cures one vice by means of another.