Perhaps from Dutch schreef line from Middle Dutch scrÄve from scriven to write from Latin scrÄ«bere ; see skrÄ«bh- in Indo-European roots.
Gastroenterologist or Hepatologist. A doctor who specializes on the liver is a hepatologist. Not to be confused with a herpatologist, who studies snakes. The answer depends on the type of problem. In our area, gastroenterologists treat most liver problems, but sometimes the treatment of hepatitis is done primarily by infectious disease specialists.
Written by Melissa Palmer, MD. Melissa Palmer, MD is the author of  Dr. Melissa Palmer's Guide of Hepatitis and Liver Disease. (Published 2004. Penguin Putnam). There are many different kinds of doctors who evaluate and treat people with liver disorders. First, there is the family physician or internist. These doctors are also referred to as primary care physicians (PCPs). They are often the first ones to discover that something is wrong with the liver.