'divided-leaved' originates from Modern English as a compound of 'divided' (the past participle of 'divide') and 'leaf' in the adjectival form 'leaved'. 'divide' ultimately comes from Latin 'dividere', where the prefix 'di-' (apart) and the root 'vid-'/ 'videre' carried senses related to separation.

'divide' passed into English via Old French (e.g. 'diviser'/'divider') and Middle English ('dividen'/'dividen'), becoming modern English 'divide'; 'leaf' comes from Old English 'lēaf'. The compound form combining the past-participle element with 'leaved' produced descriptive botanical terms such as 'divided-leaved'.

Initially indicating the state of being 'divided' in a general sense, the compound evolved into a specialized botanical adjective meaning 'having leaves split into lobes or leaflets.'