'multiveined' originates from the Latin prefix 'multi-' (from 'multus', meaning 'many') combined with the English noun 'vein' (from Old French 'veine', from Latin 'vena', meaning 'vein'), and the adjectival suffix '-ed' to form the compound adjective 'multiveined'.

'multi-' derives from Latin 'multus' meaning 'many'; 'vein' came from Latin 'vena' → Old French 'veine' → Middle English 'vein'. The modern compound 'multiveined' was formed in English by combining these elements with '-ed'.

Initially it meant 'having many veins' in a literal, anatomical or botanical sense; over time this core meaning has been retained and extended metaphorically to materials (e.g., stone or marble) to mean 'having many streaks or veins'.