1540s, "to plant in" (abstractly, of ideas, emotions, etc.), from Middle French implanter "to insert, engraft" (alongside Old French emplanter "to plant"), literally "plant in," from assimilated form of in- "into, in, on, upon" (from PIE root *en "in") + planter "to plant" (see plant (n.)). Meaning "surgically implant (something) in the body" is from 1886, originally of teeth. Implanted is attested from early 15c., probably based on Medieval Latin implantus. Related: Implanting.