'headache-relieving' originates from Modern English, specifically the compound of 'headache' + 'relieving', where 'headache' itself comes from Old English elements ('heafod' meaning 'head' and 'æce' meaning 'pain'), and 'relieving' derives ultimately from Latin 'relevare' via Old French meaning 'to raise' or 'alleviate'.

'headache' developed from Old English components into Middle English 'headake/headache', while 'relieve' came from Latin 'relevare' → Old French 'relever' → Middle English 'relieven/relieve'; these elements combined in Modern English to form the compound adjective 'headache-relieving'.

Initially the parts referred separately to 'pain in the head' and 'to raise/lessen a burden'; together they evolved to the current combined meaning 'alleviating headache pain'.