'often-preserved' is a compound word formed from 'often' and 'preserved'. 'Often' originates from Old English 'oft', meaning 'frequently', and 'preserved' comes from Latin 'praeservare', meaning 'to keep safe'.

'often' changed from Old English 'oft' to Middle English 'ofte', and eventually became the modern English word 'often'. 'Preserved' evolved from Latin 'praeservare' to Old French 'preserver', and then to Middle English 'preserven'.

Initially, 'often' meant 'frequently', and 'preserved' meant 'to keep safe'. The compound 'often-preserved' retains these meanings, indicating something frequently kept in its original state.