'honey-coloured' originates from English, specifically the words 'honey' and 'colour', where 'honey' meant 'the sweet substance produced by bees' and 'colour' meant 'hue or appearance'.

'honey' comes from Old English 'hunig', and 'colour' comes via Old French 'colour' from Latin 'color'; the compound 'honey-coloured' developed in modern English as a descriptive compound adjective.

Initially it meant 'having the color of honey', and this basic descriptive meaning has remained consistent into modern usage.