'field-specific' originates from the combination of 'field,' meaning 'an area of study or activity,' and 'specific,' meaning 'clearly defined or identified.'

'Field' and 'specific' have been used in English since the Middle Ages, with 'field' referring to an area of open land and 'specific' derived from Latin 'specificus,' meaning 'pertaining to a species.'

Initially, 'field' referred to physical land, but it evolved to mean an area of study or work. 'Specific' has maintained its meaning of being clearly defined.