'leaf-shaped' is an English compound formed from 'leaf' + 'shaped'. 'leaf' originates from Old English 'lēaf' meaning 'leaf', and 'shape' comes from Old English 'gesceap'/'sceap' meaning 'form' or 'creation'.

'leaf' comes from Old English 'lēaf' and 'shape' from Old English 'gesceap' (later Middle English 'shape'); the adjective form developed by combining the noun with the past-participial adjective 'shaped' to indicate 'having the form of a leaf', producing compounds such as 'leaf-shaped' in Modern English.

Initially both 'leaf' and 'shape' had the senses of 'leaf' and 'form/creation' respectively; when combined as 'leaf-shaped' the meaning has been and remains 'having the form of a leaf'.