'pleasant-smelling' originates from the combination of 'pleasant' and 'smelling', where 'pleasant' meant 'pleasing' and 'smelling' referred to the act of perceiving scents.

'pleasant' changed from the Old French word 'plaisant' and 'smelling' from the Old English 'smellan', eventually forming the modern English compound 'pleasant-smelling'.

Initially, 'pleasant' meant 'pleasing or agreeable', and 'smelling' referred to the act of perceiving scents. The compound 'pleasant-smelling' has retained this meaning.