'often-seen' originates from the combination of 'often,' meaning 'frequently,' and 'seen,' the past participle of 'see,' meaning 'to perceive with the eyes.'

'often-seen' combines the Old English 'oft' meaning 'frequently' and 'seen,' derived from the Old English 'seon,' meaning 'to see.'

Initially, it meant 'frequently observed,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.