'narrowly-targeted' is a modern English compound formed from the adverb 'narrowly' and the past-participle/adjectival form 'targeted'. 'narrowly' ultimately originates from Old English, specifically the word 'nearu', where 'nearu' meant 'close, confined'. 'target' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'targette' (a diminutive of 'targe' meaning 'shield'), where the root referred to a 'shield' or small round object that became associated with a 'mark' or 'aim'.

'narrow' developed from Old English 'nearu' to Middle English 'narwe' and then to modern English 'narrow'; the adverb 'narrowly' is formed by adding the suffix '-ly'. 'target' entered English via Old French 'targette' and Middle English 'target'; the verb 'to target' (to aim at) developed later, yielding the past-participle adjective 'targeted'. These elements were combined in modern usage to form the compound 'narrowly-targeted'.

Initially the components referred to 'confined/close' (from 'nearu') and a physical 'shield/mark' (from 'targe/targette'); over time 'target' shifted toward the abstract sense of 'aim' or 'objective', and 'narrowly-targeted' came to mean 'aimed very specifically at a small group or purpose.'