'bee-harmful' is a compound word formed from 'bee' and 'harmful', where 'bee' refers to the insect and 'harmful' means causing damage or injury.

The term 'bee-harmful' combines the Old English word 'bēo' for 'bee' and the Middle English 'harmful', which evolved from 'harm' meaning 'injury' or 'damage'.

Initially, 'harmful' meant 'causing injury', and when combined with 'bee', it specifically refers to substances or actions that are detrimental to bees.