'cave-dwelling' originates from English as a compound of 'cave' (from Old French 'cave', ultimately from Latin 'cavea' meaning 'hollow') and 'dwelling' (from the verb 'dwell' + the suffix '-ing').

'cave' entered Middle English from Old French 'cave' and ultimately Latin 'cavea'; 'dwell' derives from Old English (e.g. 'dwellen') > Middle English and produced the noun 'dwelling' in modern English; the compound 'cave-dwelling' arose in modern English to denote living in caves.

Initially, the parts meant 'hollow' (cave) and 'to remain or live' (dwell); combined they have long conveyed the literal sense of 'living in caves' and this basic meaning persists in modern usage.