'asymmetrical-footed' originates from Modern English, specifically the compound of 'asymmetrical' + 'footed', where 'asymmetrical' comes from Greek elements 'a-' meaning 'not' and 'symmetria' meaning 'measure' or 'proportion', and 'footed' derives from Old English 'fōt' meaning 'foot'.

'asymmetrical' entered English via Medieval Latin/French forms (e.g. Medieval Latin 'asymmetricus' or Old French influences) and developed into Modern English 'asymmetrical'; 'footed' comes from Old English 'fōt' → Middle English 'fot' with the adjectival suffix '-ed' forming 'footed'; the two were combined in Modern English to form the descriptive compound 'asymmetrical-footed'.

Initially, the elements meant 'not proportioned' (asymmetrical) and 'having a foot' (footed); over time they were combined in technical or descriptive contexts to mean specifically 'having feet that are unequal or not symmetrical' as used in biological descriptions.