The process lead through (among others) fathom, chain and odometer, all involved in distance measure and available, but I was on a quest for something less common. Odometer somehow connected to bematist, and here we are. If you have the same fascination with words, please explore the topic of distance measurement, especially by way of the arcane group of "English" measures (rod, chain, furlong, etc.) "Bema" is worth checking, too.