'illicitly-authorized' originates from modern English as a hyphenated compound, combining 'illicitly' (from Latin 'illicitus' meaning 'not permitted' + English adverbial suffix '-ly') and 'authorized' (from Old French 'autoriser' and ultimately Latin 'auctor' meaning 'originator, promoter').

'illicitly' came into English via Middle English from Latin 'illicitus'; 'authorized' developed through Middle English forms influenced by Old French 'autoriser' and Latin 'auctor'. These components later combined in Modern English to form the compound adjective 'illicitly-authorized'.

Initially, the parts meant 'not permitted' and 'officially approved'; used together they came to denote approval granted through illegal or improper means.