'cashew-associated' originates from modern English, formed by combining the noun 'cashew' and the past-participial adjective 'associated'. 'Cashew' entered English from Portuguese 'caju', which in turn comes from the Tupi word 'acajú' referring to the cashew tree and its nut; 'associated' comes from Latin 'associatus', the past participle of 'associare' (to unite with).

'cashew' came into English via Portuguese 'caju' from Tupi 'acajú' and became 'cashew' in Modern English; 'associate' developed from Latin 'associare' → past participle 'associatus', passed through Old French/Medieval Latin forms before becoming the English 'associated'. The compound 'cashew-associated' is a modern English formation combining the two words.

Initially, 'cashew' referred specifically to the nut/tree and 'associated' meant 'joined or connected with'; combined as 'cashew-associated' it now specifically denotes something connected with or caused by cashews.