'anther-free' is a modern English compound formed from 'anther' (from Greek 'anthḗr'/'ánthos', where 'anthos' meant 'flower' and by extension the pollen-bearing part) and 'free' (from Old English 'frēo', where 'frēo' meant 'not bound; without').

'anther' entered scientific English via New Latin and Late Latin 'anthera', ultimately from Greek 'anthḗr' (related to 'ántos/anthos' 'flower'); 'free' evolved from Old English 'frēo' into modern English 'free'. The compound 'anther-free' was formed in modern English by combining these two elements to describe plants lacking anthers.

The components originally meant 'anther' and 'not/beyond constraint (free)'; combined as a compound the meaning has been straightforwardly 'without anthers,' which remains its current usage.