'nutrient-draining' originates in Modern English as a compound of 'nutrient' and 'draining'. 'Nutrient' derives from Latin 'nutrire' meaning 'to nourish' (via Medieval Latin 'nutrient-'), and 'draining' is the present-participle form of 'drain', from Old French 'drainer' meaning 'to draw off (liquid)'.

'Nutrient' developed from Latin roots (nutrire → Medieval Latin nutrient- → modern English 'nutrient') as a scientific term for substances that nourish. 'Drain' entered English via Old French 'drainer' and Middle English forms, giving the modern verb 'drain'. The hyphenated compound 'nutrient-draining' is a recent formation (chiefly 20th century onward) in agricultural and ecological writing.

Individually, 'nutrient' referred to nourishing substances and 'drain' to drawing off liquids; combined in modern usage the compound specifically denotes causing loss or depletion of nutrients, a meaning that emerged with intensified agricultural and ecological discourse.