1853, back-formation from upholsterer "tradesman who finishes or repairs articles of furniture" (1613), from upholdester (1411), formed with a dim. (originally fem.) suffix, from obsolete M.E. noun upholder "dealer in small goods" (1333), from upholden "to repair, uphold, keep from falling or sinking" (in this case, by stuffing); see uphold. Upholstery is attested from 1649.