'broad-footed' is a Modern English compound formed from 'broad' + 'footed'. 'broad' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'brād', where 'brād' meant 'wide'. 'foot' originates from Old English 'fōt', meaning 'foot'. The suffix '-ed' is used to form adjectives meaning 'having' or 'provided with'.

'broad' changed from the Old English word 'brād' and eventually became the modern English word 'broad'. 'foot' came from Old English 'fōt' through Middle English 'fot' to modern 'foot'. The compound 'broad-footed' developed in Modern English by combining these elements with the adjectival '-ed'.

Initially it meant 'having wide feet', and over time this basic sense has largely remained unchanged.