'shade-preferring' originates from the combination of 'shade,' meaning 'a place sheltered from direct sunlight,' and 'preferring,' derived from the Latin 'praeferre,' meaning 'to carry in front.'

'shade-preferring' evolved from the combination of the Old English 'sceadu' (shade) and the Latin 'praeferre' (prefer), eventually forming the modern English term.

Initially, it meant 'to prefer shade,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.