'sterol-linked' is a compound built from 'sterol' and the past participle 'linked'. 'Sterol' originates from New Latin 'sterolum', ultimately from Greek 'stērēs' meaning 'solid' plus the chemical suffix '-ol' denoting an alcohol-like compound; 'linked' is the past participle of 'link', from a Germanic root meaning 'to connect'.

'sterol' was coined in modern chemical nomenclature in the late 19th century as a derivative of 'sterin' and the suffix '-ol', becoming the standard term for steroidal alcohols; 'link' developed from Old and Middle English/West Germanic verbs meaning 'to fasten or join' and produced the past participle 'linked', which is used to form compounds like 'sterol-linked'.

Initially, 'sterol' referred to a solid fat-like substance and later came to designate steroid alcohols in biochemistry; 'link' originally meant 'to fasten or bind', and 'linked' retains the meaning of being connected or attached, so 'sterol-linked' now specifically denotes attachment to a sterol.