The term 'lice-spread' is a compound word formed from 'lice' and 'spread', where 'lice' refers to small parasitic insects and 'spread' denotes the act of extending or distributing over an area.

The word 'lice' comes from Old English 'lȳs', and 'spread' originates from Old English 'sprǣdan'. The combination of these words into 'lice-spread' is a modern formation to describe the transmission of lice.

Initially, 'lice' referred to the insect itself, and 'spread' meant to extend over an area. The combination now specifically refers to the transmission of lice.