'pigeon-toed' originates from English, specifically the words 'pigeon' and 'toe'. 'pigeon' ultimately comes from Old French 'pijon' (from Late Latin 'pipio') where 'pipio' meant 'a young chirping bird', and 'toe' comes from Old English 'tā' where 'tā' meant 'toe'.

'pigeon' changed from Old French 'pijon' (from Late Latin 'pipio') and eventually became the modern English word 'pigeon'; 'toe' comes from Old English 'tā', and the adjectival form 'toed' developed by adding the suffix '-ed' (meaning 'having') to indicate 'having toes' — the compound 'pigeon-toed' was formed in English to describe a toe position resembling that associated with a pigeon.

Initially, the components referred literally to 'pigeon' and 'toe' (i.e., a toe like a pigeon's), but over time the compound evolved to mean specifically 'having the toes turned inward' when applied to people.