'fossil-bearing' originates from a modern English compound of 'fossil' and 'bearing'. 'Fossil' ultimately comes from Latin, specifically the word 'fossilis', where 'fodere' (root) meant 'to dig up' (hence 'dug up'). 'Bearing' derives from the verb 'bear', from Old English 'beran', meaning 'to carry'.

'fossil' passed into English via Medieval Latin 'fossilis' meaning 'dug up (from the earth)'; 'bear' comes from Old English 'beran'. The compound adjective 'fossil-bearing' is a later English formation combining these elements to describe something that 'carries' or 'contains' fossils.

Initially, the roots referred to 'dug up' (fossil) and 'to carry' (bear). Over time the compound evolved to mean 'containing fossils' in the sense of a rock or deposit that preserves fossil remains.