'quick-footed' originates from English, specifically as a compound of 'quick' + 'foot' with the adjectival suffix '-ed', meaning 'having quick feet'.

'quick' comes from Old English 'cwic' meaning 'alive, lively' and Proto-Germanic *kwikwaz; 'foot' comes from Old English 'fōt' (from Proto-Germanic *fōtaz). The modern compound 'quick-footed' developed in later English by combining these elements with the suffix '-ed' to form an adjective.

Initially 'quick' often conveyed 'alive' or 'lively'; over time it shifted toward 'fast' or 'rapid'. Combined with 'foot' and '-ed', the phrase evolved into the modern meaning 'having fast, light feet' or 'nimble'.