'cost-increasing' is a compound word formed from 'cost' and 'increasing'. 'Cost' originates from Latin 'constare', meaning 'to stand firm', and 'increase' comes from Latin 'increscere', meaning 'to grow'.

'Cost' evolved from Old French 'coste', and 'increase' from Old French 'encreistre'. The combination into 'cost-increasing' is a modern English formation.

Initially, 'cost' referred to the price of something, and 'increase' meant to grow. Together, they now refer to something that raises expenses.