'norm-governed' is a compound of 'norm' and 'govern(ed)'. 'norm' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'norma', where 'norma' meant 'carpenter's square' and by extension 'rule' or 'standard'. 'govern' (as in 'governed') originates from Latin, specifically the word 'gubernare', where 'gubernare' meant 'to steer' or 'to guide'.

'norm' changed from Latin 'norma' to Old French 'norme' and Middle English 'norm(e)', eventually becoming modern English 'norm'. 'govern' changed from Latin 'gubernare' through Old French 'governer' and Middle English 'governen' into modern English 'govern', with the past-participial adjective form 'governed' used to form the compound 'norm-governed'.

Initially the components referred to a physical 'square' (for 'norma') and the action 'to steer' (for 'gubernare'), but over time 'norm' came to mean 'rule/standard' and the compound developed the current meaning 'ruled or regulated by standards (norms)'.