'multihued' originates from a combination of Latin and Old English elements: the Latin prefix 'multus' and the Old English word 'hīw' (via Middle English 'hiwe'/'hue'), where 'multus' meant 'many' and 'hīw' meant 'color'.

'hīw' changed into Middle English 'hiwe' (later 'hue') and the Latin-derived prefix 'multi-' (from 'multus') was combined with English 'hue' to form the compound 'multihued', which appears in modern English usage (notably from the 19th century onward).

Initially it meant 'having many colors' (a literal description). Over time it has also been used figuratively to mean 'varied' or 'diverse' in character or elements.