'clue-giving' is a modern compound formed from the noun 'clue' and the present participle 'giving' (from 'give'). 'clue' originates from Middle English 'clew', specifically from Old English 'clēow', where the root meant 'ball of thread'; 'give' originates from Old English 'giefan' meaning 'to bestow'.

'clue' changed from Old English 'clēow' to Middle English 'clew' and later developed the sense 'hint' in Early Modern English; 'give' comes from Old English 'giefan' and evolved into the modern verb 'give'. The compound 'clue-giving' is a straightforward modern English formation combining these elements.

Initially, 'clue' literally meant 'ball of thread', but over time it evolved into the figurative sense 'hint' or 'piece of information that leads to a solution'; 'giving' has consistently carried the sense 'bestowing' and in the compound now denotes 'providing a hint'.