'civilian-targeting' is a compound of 'civilian' and 'targeting'. 'civilian' originates from Latin 'civilis' via Old French 'civil' meaning 'relating to citizens' and the suffix '-ian' forming 'civilian'. 'target' (in 'targeting') comes from Old French 'targe' meaning 'small shield'; the verb 'to target' developed later in English meaning 'to aim at'.

'civilian' developed from Latin 'civilis' -> Old French 'civil' -> Middle English 'civil' and then the noun/adjective 'civilian' emerged; 'target' evolved from Old French 'targe' (shield) into Middle English 'target' as a noun and later a verb, and 'targeting' is its gerund/participle form; the compound 'civilian-targeting' formed in modern usage to describe actions aimed at civilians.

Originally 'targe' referred to a physical shield; over time 'target' became the object aimed at, and the verb 'to target' came to mean directing fire or attacks. Combined with 'civilian', the compound now means 'directing attacks at civilians'.