'organic-sounding' is a modern English compound made from 'organic' + 'sounding'. 'organic' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'organikos', where 'organon' meant 'instrument' or 'tool'; 'sounding' is the present participle of 'sound' (verb), from the Old English root of 'sound' meaning 'noise' or 'to make a noise'.

'organic' passed into English via Latin 'organicus' and Old French 'organique' from Greek 'organikos'. 'sound' developed from Old English forms referring to noise and evolved into the modern verb and noun 'sound'; the compound 'organic-sounding' arose in contemporary English by combining these elements to describe the perceived quality of sound or style.

Individually, 'organic' originally referred to organs or instruments and later to living-organism-related qualities; 'sounding' originally meant producing noise. As a compound, the phrase shifted from literal senses to the figurative meaning 'sounding natural or unforced', which is now the primary usage.