'properly-returned' is a compound word formed from 'properly' and 'returned'. 'Properly' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'proprius', meaning 'one's own'. 'Returned' comes from Old French 'retourner', meaning 'to turn back'.

'Properly' evolved from Middle English 'proper', while 'returned' evolved from Middle English 'returnen'.

Initially, 'properly' meant 'in a manner that is one's own', and 'returned' meant 'to turn back'. Over time, 'properly-returned' came to mean 'returned in a correct or appropriate manner'.