'entire-leaved' originates from a compound of two English elements: 'entire' and 'leaved'. 'entire' ultimately comes from Latin, specifically the word 'integer', where the root meant 'whole, untouched'. 'leaved' is formed from Old English 'lēaf' (leaf) with the adjectival/compound-forming element '-ed' meaning 'having leaves'.

'entire' came into English via Old French 'entier' from Latin 'integer'; 'leaf' comes from Old English 'lēaf' (Middle English 'leaf'). The compound 'entire-leaved' was formed in English by combining the adjective 'entire' with an adjectival use of 'leaf' (leaved) to describe leaf margin condition.

Initially, 'entire' meant 'whole, untouched' and 'leaf' meant the plant leaf; combined, the compound came to mean specifically 'having whole (undivided, untoothed) leaf margins', a specialized botanical sense.