'gymnosperm-related' originates from Modern English by compounding the noun 'gymnosperm' and the adjective 'related'. 'Gymnosperm' comes from New Latin 'Gymnospermae', ultimately from Greek 'gumnos' meaning 'naked' and 'sperma' meaning 'seed'; 'related' comes from Latin 'relatus' (past participle of 'referre').

'Gymnosperm' entered scientific English in the 19th century from New Latin 'Gymnospermae', itself built from Greek roots; 'related' developed via Old French and Middle English from Latin 'referre'/'relatus'. The compound 'gymnosperm-related' is a modern English formation combining these elements.

Originally, 'gymnosperm' literally meant 'naked seed' and has retained its botanical sense of plants with unenclosed seeds; 'related' originally had senses of 'brought back' or 'told' (via Latin) and later shifted to the modern sense 'connected'. The compound now means 'connected to gymnosperms'.