The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Arabist \Ar`a*bist\, n. [Cf. F. Arabiste.]
   One well versed in the Arabic language or literature; also,
   formerly, one who followed the Arabic system of surgery.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

Arabist
    n 1: a scholar who specializes in Arab languages and culture