'collective-led' originates from modern English as a compound of 'collective' and 'led'. 'collective' ultimately comes (via French 'collectif') from Latin 'collectivus', and 'led' is the past participle of 'lead', from Old English 'lǣdan'.

'collective' developed from Latin 'collectivus' > French 'collectif' > English 'collective'; 'lead' evolved from Old English 'lǣdan' through Middle English forms to modern English 'lead' (past 'led'). These elements were combined in modern English to form the compound adjective 'collective-led'.

Originally, 'collective' meant 'gathered together' and 'led' meant 'guided or brought'; combined in modern usage they came to mean 'guided or governed by a group rather than an individual'.