'smoky' originates from English, specifically the word 'smoke' + the suffix '-y', where 'smoke' meant 'visible vapor from fire' and '-y' meant 'characterized by' or 'having the quality of'.

'smoke' comes from Old English 'smoca'; the adjective was formed in Middle English by adding the adjectival suffix '-y' to 'smoke', eventually becoming modern English 'smoky'.

Initially it meant 'full of or producing smoke'; over time it broadened to include 'resembling smoke' (color or haze) and 'having the flavor or aroma of smoke'.