'missile-propelled' originates from the combination of 'missile' and 'propelled', where 'missile' refers to a self-propelled weapon and 'propelled' means driven forward.

The term 'missile-propelled' combines the concept of 'missile' from the Latin 'missilis' meaning 'that may be thrown' and 'propelled' from the Latin 'propellere' meaning 'to drive forward'.

Initially, it meant 'driven by a missile', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.