'indigenous-style' originates from modern English by combining the adjective 'indigenous' and the noun 'style'. 'indigenous' comes (via Latin and Greek) from roots meaning 'born within', and 'style' comes from Latin 'stilus' (a writing implement) and later Old French 'estile' meaning 'manner' or 'mode'.

'indigenous' derives from Latin 'indigena'/'indigenus' (from Greek 'indigenēs', in- 'within' + gen- 'be born'), which entered English via Late Latin and French and became the modern English 'indigenous'. 'style' comes from Latin 'stilus' (a stake or writing tool) → Old French 'estile'/'style' meaning 'manner' → Middle English 'style' meaning 'way or fashion', and the compound 'indigenous-style' is a recent English formation combining these two words.

Originally, components meant 'born within' ('indigenous') and 'a writing implement' or 'manner' ('style'); over time the meanings shifted to 'native, originating locally' and 'manner or fashion', and the compound came to mean 'a manner or design characteristic of indigenous peoples'.