The term 'dye-sensitive' combines 'dye,' which originates from Old English 'dēag,' meaning 'color,' and 'sensitive,' from Latin 'sensitivus,' meaning 'capable of feeling or perceiving.'

The concept of 'dye-sensitive' evolved from the use of dyes in textiles and materials, where certain substances were noted for their ability to change color upon exposure to dyes.

Initially, it referred to the ability to perceive or react to dyes, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.