'sex-drive-stimulating' originates from Modern English, combining the noun phrase 'sex drive' and the verb-derived adjective 'stimulating'. 'sex' ultimately derives from Latin 'sexus' meaning 'sex, gender'; 'drive' comes from Old English 'drīfan' meaning 'to drive, urge'; and 'stimulate' comes from Latin 'stimulare' meaning 'to goad or rouse'.

'sex' entered English via Old French and Latin 'sexus'; 'drive' comes from Old English 'drīfan' (to drive); 'stimulate' comes from Latin 'stimulare' which passed into English in later periods. The modern hyphenated compound 'sex-drive-stimulating' is a recent Modern English formation combining these elements to create a descriptive adjective.

Initially the component words meant 'biological sex', 'urge/to push', and 'to rouse'; over time the combined phrase came to mean specifically 'causing an increase in sexual desire'.