'snake-footed' originates from English, specifically the compound of 'snake' and 'footed', where 'snake' comes from Old English 'snaca' (meaning 'snake') and 'footed' comes from Old English 'fōt' + suffix '-ed' (where 'fōt' meant 'foot' and '-ed' meant 'having').

'snake' changed from Old English 'snaca' and 'foot' changed from Old English 'fōt'; the adjective-forming combination produced compounds like 'snake-footed' in later (modern) English to describe creatures with snake-like feet.

Initially it would have been used literally to mean 'having the feet of a snake'; over time the compound can also be used more loosely or figuratively to describe a snake-like gait or appearance.