'nonstaining' originates from Modern English, formed by the prefix 'non-' (from Latin 'non' meaning 'not') combined with 'staining', the present participle of the verb 'stain'.

'stain' developed through Old and Middle English (Middle English 'stainen') from earlier Germanic sources and came to mean 'to blemish or discolor'; the compound 'non-staining' arose in modern English by prefixation to indicate the opposite property.

Initially 'stain' meant 'to blemish or discolor'; over time the compound with 'non-' came to mean 'not causing stains' or 'resistant to staining'.