'hunchbacked' originates from English, specifically formed from the noun 'hunchback' plus the adjectival suffix '-ed'.

'hunchback' changed from Middle English forms such as 'hunchbak' (a compound of 'hunch' + 'back') and the modern adjective developed by adding '-ed' to form 'hunchbacked'.

Initially it meant 'having a hump or lump on the back'; over time the basic physical meaning has remained, though it has also been used figuratively to describe a stooped posture.