'pollen-retentive' originates from the combination of 'pollen,' which comes from Latin 'pollen' meaning 'fine flour or dust,' and 'retentive,' from Latin 'retentivus,' meaning 'holding back.'

'pollen' changed from the Latin word 'pollen' and 'retentive' from 'retentivus,' eventually forming the modern English compound word 'pollen-retentive.'

Initially, 'pollen' referred to 'fine flour or dust,' and 'retentive' meant 'holding back.' Together, they evolved to describe the ability to hold onto pollen.