'sharp-nosed' originates from Modern English as a compound of the adjective 'sharp' and the noun 'nose'; 'sharp' itself originates from Old English 'scearp' and 'nose' from Old English 'nosu'.

'sharp' changed from Old English word 'scearp' to Middle English 'scharp' and eventually became the modern English 'sharp'; 'nose' changed from Old English 'nosu' to Middle English 'nose' and remained 'nose'. The compound 'sharp-nosed' is a straightforward Modern English formation combining these elements.

Initially, 'sharp' meant 'having a cutting edge' and 'nose' referred to the facial feature; over time the compound came to be used descriptively for a nose that is pointed or prominently tapered, which is its current meaning.