'broad-leafed' originates from English, specifically formed from the adjective 'broad' and the noun 'leaf' with the adjectival suffix '-ed', where 'broad' meant 'wide' and 'leaf' meant 'leaf'.

'broad' derives from Old English 'brād' meaning 'broad, wide' and 'leaf' derives from Old English 'lēaf' meaning 'leaf'; such native elements were compounded in Middle and Modern English to produce descriptive compounds like 'broad-leaved' and 'broad-leafed'.

Initially it literally meant 'having wide leaves' and this basic botanical sense has been retained into modern usage.