'forest-dwelling' originates from the combination of 'forest' and 'dwelling', where 'forest' refers to a large area covered chiefly with trees and undergrowth, and 'dwelling' refers to a place of residence.

'forest-dwelling' combines the Old French 'forest' and the Old English 'dwellan', eventually forming the modern English term.

Initially, it meant 'living in a forest', and this meaning has remained consistent in modern usage.