'frame-built' originates from Modern English, specifically the compound of 'frame' and the past participle 'built' (from 'build'), where 'frame' meant 'a structural skeleton' and 'build' meant 'to construct.'

'frame' was established in Middle English from earlier Germanic sources referring to a structure or shape; 'build' comes from Old English (e.g. 'byldan') meaning 'to construct', and the compound 'frame-built' developed in modern usage as a descriptive compound adjective.

Initially, the elements referred separately to 'frame' (a supporting structure) and 'built' (constructed); over time the compound came to be used as a single descriptive term meaning 'constructed using a frame,' with little change in the core sense.