'narrow-snouted' originates from modern English as a compound formed from 'narrow' + 'snout' with the adjectival suffix '-ed' added to indicate 'having a snout of the quality described'.

'narrow' comes from Old English 'nearwe/nearu' (via Middle English 'narwe'), ultimately from Proto-Germanic *narwaz meaning 'tight' or 'close'; 'snout' comes from Middle English 'snout' or 'snute', likely related to Low German or Old Norse words for 'nose' or 'muzzle'. The compound 'narrow-snouted' is a productive modern English formation combining these elements.

Initially its elements meant 'narrow' and 'snout' respectively; the compound has retained the literal meaning 'having a narrow snout' in modern usage.