'amine-forming' is a compound formed from 'amine' + 'forming'. 'Amine' originates from Neo-Latin/French, specifically the Neo-Latin/French word 'amine', where the root is ultimately associated with 'ammonia' (the sense 'related to ammonia'). 'Forming' (form) originates from Latin, specifically the word 'formare', where 'formare' meant 'to shape or make'.

'Amine' was coined in the 19th century in organic chemistry from Neo-Latin/French terms deriving from 'ammonia' and was used to name organic derivatives of ammonia; 'form' entered English earlier via Old French 'forme' from Latin 'forma', eventually producing the verbal form 'form' and the present participle 'forming'.

Initially, 'amine' referred to substances related to or derived from ammonia, and 'form' meant 'to shape or make'; together the compound now specifically denotes 'producing or resulting in amines' in a chemical context.