'flesh-based' originates from the combination of 'flesh' and 'base', where 'flesh' refers to the soft substance of a human or animal body and 'base' means the main ingredient or component.

The term 'flesh-based' evolved from the use of 'flesh' in Middle English, which was derived from Old English 'flǣsc', and 'base' from Middle English 'bas', which came from Latin 'basis'.

Initially, 'flesh' referred to the physical substance of a body, and 'base' meant foundation. Over time, 'flesh-based' came to describe something primarily composed of meat.