'human-sourced' is a modern compound formed from the adjective 'human' and the noun 'source'. 'human' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'humanus', where 'humanus' meant 'of man' or 'human'. 'source' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'sourse', ultimately from Latin 'surgere' where the root related to 'to rise' and came to mean 'origin' or 'point of supply'.

'human' passed into English via Old French 'humain' and Middle English as 'human'; 'source' passed into English from Old French 'sourse' and Middle English 'sourche' to the modern English 'source'. The compound 'human-sourced' is a recent English formation (late 20th to early 21st century) combining these elements to indicate origin from humans.

Initially, the separate elements referred to 'of people' ('human') and 'origin or supply' ('source'); combined as 'human-sourced' the phrase originally meant 'originating from humans' and has evolved to be used especially in contrast with 'machine- or AI-sourced' to emphasize human origin, authorship, or contribution.