'aromatic-derived' originates from Modern English as a compound of 'aromatic' and 'derived'. 'Aromatic' comes from earlier English 'aromatic', and 'derived' is the past participle form of 'derive.'

'aromatic' ultimately comes from Greek 'arōmatikos' via Latin 'aromaticus' and Old French influences; 'derived' comes from Latin 'derivatus', the past participle of 'derivare'. The modern compound formed in English by combining the adjective 'aromatic' with the past-participle 'derived' to indicate origin.

Initially, elements of the compound referred separately to 'aromatic' (having a scent or relating to aromatic chemical rings) and 'derived' (obtained from). Over time the compound came to be used adjectivally to denote something specifically obtained from aromatic substances or aromatic chemical families.