'amygdalin-containing' originates from Modern English, specifically from the compound of 'amygdalin' and the present-participle form 'containing' of the verb 'contain'. 'Amygdalin' itself ultimately comes from Greek 'amygdalē' meaning 'almond'.

'amygdalin' entered scientific English via Modern Latin and French (for example Modern Latin 'amygdalinum' and French 'amygdaline'), and 'contain' derives from Latin 'continere' via Old French; the adjectival compound 'amygdalin-containing' was formed in modern English by combining these elements to denote presence of the compound.

Initially used in scientific and medical contexts to denote the specific almond-derived glycoside 'amygdalin' or substances containing it; it has come to be used straightforwardly to describe any material that contains amygdalin.