'nonstarchy' originates from a combination of the prefix 'non-' (from Latin 'non', meaning 'not') and the adjective 'starchy' (from English 'starch' + suffix '-y'), where 'starch' ultimately comes from Old English 'stearc' meaning 'stiff/strong'.

'nonstarchy' is formed in Modern English by prefixing 'non-' to 'starchy'. The adjective 'starchy' developed from the noun 'starch', which evolved from Old English 'stearc' and through Middle English became the modern noun 'starch', then gained the adjectival suffix '-y'.

Originally the root 'stearc' meant 'stiff' or 'strong'; over time it became the noun 'starch' for the substance used to stiffen cloth and later for the carbohydrate in foods. 'Starchy' came to mean 'containing starch', and 'nonstarchy' now means 'not containing (or low in) starch'.