'energy' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'energeia', where 'energeia' meant 'activity' or 'operation'; 'hungry' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'hungor', where 'hungor' meant 'hunger'. The compound 'energy-hungry' is a Modern English formation combining these two words.

'energy' passed into English via Latin 'energia' and Old French 'energie' and became 'energy' in Middle/Modern English; 'hungor' changed into Middle English 'hungri' and eventually 'hungry'. The compound 'energy-hungry' was coined in Modern English (20th century), primarily in technical and engineering contexts, to describe systems that 'consume' much energy.

Initially, 'energy' meant 'activity/operation' and 'hungry' meant physical 'hunger'; over time the compound developed the metaphorical meaning 'consuming a large amount of energy', now used for devices, systems, or processes.