'lust-inducing' is a modern English compound combining the noun 'lust' and the present participle 'inducing' (from 'induce'). 'lust' originally meant 'desire' or 'pleasure', while 'induce' means 'to lead to' or 'to cause'.

'lust' originates from Old English 'lust' (meaning 'desire, pleasure'), from Proto-Germanic roots meaning 'desire/joy'. 'induce' comes from Latin 'inducere' (in- 'into' + ducere 'to lead'), passed through Old French/Medieval Latin into Middle English as 'induce'; the compound 'lust-inducing' is a relatively recent formation in modern English by combining 'lust' + present participle 'inducing'.

Initially, 'lust' broadly meant 'desire' or 'pleasure' and 'induce' meant 'to lead into'; over time 'lust' has come to be used especially for sexual desire, and 'lust-inducing' specifically came to mean 'causing sexual desire'.