'covertly-organized' originates from the combination of 'covertly' and 'organized'. 'Covertly' comes from the Latin word 'cooperire', meaning 'to cover', and 'organized' is derived from the Greek word 'organon', meaning 'tool' or 'instrument'.

'Covertly' changed from the Old French word 'covrir', and 'organized' evolved from the Medieval Latin 'organizare'.

Initially, 'covertly' meant 'covered or hidden', and 'organized' meant 'arranged systematically'. Over time, 'covertly-organized' evolved to mean 'arranged in a secretive manner'.