'illicitly-taken' originates from the Latin word 'illicitus,' meaning 'not allowed,' combined with the past participle 'taken' from the Old English 'tacan,' meaning 'to seize or capture.'

'Illicitus' transformed into the Old French 'illicite,' and eventually became the modern English word 'illicit.' The word 'taken' evolved from the Old English 'tacan.'

Initially, 'illicit' meant 'not allowed by law,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.