'dehusk' originates from the prefix 'de-' (from Latin 'dē-' via Old French, meaning 'remove' or 'reduce') combined with the noun 'husk'. 'husk' in English refers to an outer covering (of grain, seeds, etc.).

'husk' appeared in Middle English as 'housk' or 'husk' (from possibly Scandinavian or Low German sources) meaning 'outer covering'. The verb 'dehusk' was formed in modern English by adding the prefix 'de-' to 'husk', producing 'dehusk' and its past form 'dehusked'.

Initially, the components meant 'remove' (de-) + 'outer covering' (husk); over time the combined verb has retained this literal sense and continues to mean 'to remove the husk' or 'having had the husk removed'.