'root-related' is a Modern English compound formed from 'root' + 'related'. 'root' is from Old English 'rōt' (or related Germanic forms) meaning the part of a plant that anchors and absorbs; 'related' is the past participle form of the verb 'relate', ultimately from Latin elements via Old French.

'root-related' developed in Modern English by compounding the noun 'root' with the past participle adjective 'related'. 'Related' entered English via Old French 'relater' (to recount, bring back) and Latin 'relatus' (past participle of 'referre'), evolving to mean 'connected' or 'having relation to'.

Individually, 'root' originally meant the physical root (and by extension a source or origin). 'Related' originally carried senses of 'brought back' or 'recounted' in earlier stages but shifted to the meaning 'connected'. Combined, 'root-related' now means 'connected to or derived from the root/origin'.