'free-moving' originates from Modern English compound formation, specifically the words 'free' and 'move', where 'free' meant 'not restrained' and 'move' meant 'to change position'.

'free' comes from Old English 'frēo' (from Proto-Germanic *frijaz) and 'move' derives from Latin 'movere' (via Old French/Middle English as 'moven'/'move'); the compound 'free-moving' was formed in Modern English by combining these elements.

Initially, 'free' meant 'not in bondage' and 'move' meant 'to change place'; over time the combined phrase evolved to describe something 'able to move freely' or 'not fixed in place'.