'cross-grain' originates from the combination of 'cross' and 'grain', where 'cross' meant 'across' and 'grain' referred to the texture or pattern of a material.

'Cross-grain' evolved from the Old English word 'cros' and the Old French word 'graine', eventually becoming the modern English term 'cross-grain'.

Initially, it referred to any pattern running across the main direction, but over time it became more specific to wood and fabric textures.