means The branch of physics dealing with motion and forces, or by extension the skilled tradespeople who repair and maintain machines and engines.

from From Greek 'mēkhanikos,' 'relating to machines or contrivances,' built on 'mēkhanē'—a device, engine, or clever scheme (the same root that gives us 'machine' and 'machination'). It traveled into Latin as 'mechanicus' and reached English by way of French, first naming the science of forces and only later the hands-on people who wrestle with the gears that science describes.