'stress-inducing' originates from the combination of 'stress' and 'induce', where 'stress' refers to mental or emotional strain and 'induce' means to bring about or give rise to.

'Stress' comes from Middle English 'stresse', derived from Old French 'estresse', meaning 'narrowness' or 'oppression'. 'Induce' comes from Latin 'inducere', meaning 'to lead in'.

Initially, 'stress' referred to physical pressure or tension, but over time it evolved to include mental and emotional strain. 'Induce' has largely retained its original meaning of 'to bring about'.