'colic-relieving' is a Modern English compound of 'colic' and 'relieving'. 'colic' ultimately originates from Greek, specifically the word 'kolikos' (from 'kolon'), where 'kolon' meant 'colon, large intestine'. 'relieving' (from the verb 'relieve') originates from Latin, specifically the word 'relevare', where 're-' meant 'again/back' and 'levare' meant 'to raise, to lighten'.

'colic' passed into Latin as 'colica' and into Middle English as forms like 'colik' or 'colic'. 'relieve' entered English via Old French (e.g. 'relever') and Middle English ('relieven'), and the compound 'colic-relieving' was formed in Modern English by combining these elements.

Originally 'colic' referred specifically to pain of the colon/intestinal area, and 'relieve' originally carried the sense 'to raise up or lighten (a burden)'; together the compound came to mean 'producing or intended to produce relief from colic pain'.