'sharp-toed' originates from Modern English, formed by combining the adjective 'sharp' and the noun 'toe' with the adjectival suffix '-ed', where 'sharp' meant 'having a fine point or edge' and 'toe' meant 'the digit at the end of the foot'.

'sharp' comes from Old English 'scearp' and 'toe' from Old English 'tā' (toe); compounding of descriptive adjective + '-ed' to describe a characteristic (e.g., toe-shaped) became productive in later Middle and Modern English, producing compounds like 'sharp-toed'.

Initially related broadly to something being 'sharp' or 'pointed'; over time the compound narrowed to describe specifically the toe or toe-like part of footwear, feet, or paws being pointed.