'blunt-toed' originates from Modern English, specifically the compound of 'blunt' and 'toe' — 'blunt' (from Old French/Old Norse sources such as 'blont'/'blund', meaning 'dull' or 'rounded') and 'toe' (from Old English 'tā'), where 'blunt' meant 'dull/rounded' and 'toe' meant 'toe'.

'blunt' entered Middle English from Old French (and related Germanic/Norse influences) as forms like 'blont'/'blund', and 'toe' comes from Old English 'tā'; the adjectival compound 'blunt-toed' is a modern English formation combining these elements to describe toe shape.

Initially the elements conveyed 'dull/rounded' + 'toe'; over time the compound came to be used specifically to describe the shape of toes or toe boxes on footwear — essentially 'rounded, not pointed' — which preserves the original sense but narrows its typical application.