'marbled-leaved' originates from English, specifically the word 'marbled' (from 'marble' + the adjectival/past participle suffix '-ed') and 'leaved' (from 'leaf' + '-ed'), where 'marble' referred to the stone 'marble' noted for its veined patterns and 'leaf' referred to foliage.

'marbled' developed from Middle English uses of 'marble' (from Old French 'marbre', ultimately from Latin 'marmor'); the adjective/past-participial form 'marbled' was formed by adding '-ed'. 'Leaved' is formed from Old English 'lēaf' (leaf) with the adjectival '-ed' (as in compounds like 'broad-leaved'), producing 'marbled-leaved' as a compound adjective in modern English.

Initially, 'marbled' referred to the veined or streaked appearance of the stone 'marble'; over time the sense 'having a marbled pattern' extended metaphorically to other surfaces, and now 'marbled-leaved' specifically means 'having leaves with marbled or variegated patterns.'