'internally-controlled' originates from the combination of 'internal' and 'control,' where 'internal' comes from Latin 'internus,' meaning 'inside,' and 'control' from French 'contreroller,' meaning 'to check or regulate.'

'Internally-controlled' evolved from the concept of 'internal control' in management and systems theory, emphasizing self-regulation.

Initially, it referred to systems or processes managed from within, and this meaning has remained consistent.