'starch-laden' is a Modern English compound formed from 'starch' + 'laden', where 'starch' referred to the stiffening substance used on cloth and 'laden' meant 'burdened' or 'loaded'.

'starch' derives from Old English 'stearc' (through Middle English 'sterche'), ultimately from Proto-Germanic *starkaz meaning 'stiff' or 'strong'; 'laden' is the past participle of Old English 'hladan' ('to load'), which became Middle English 'laden' and then modern 'laden'.

Originally the parts meant 'stiffening substance' and 'loaded', so the compound literally meant 'loaded with starch'; over time it has been used to describe items (especially garments) that are heavily treated or saturated with starch.