'three-hued' originates from English, combining the numeral 'three' and the adjective-forming use of 'hued' (from 'hue'), where 'three' traces back to Old English 'þrīe/þrēo' meaning 'three' and 'hue' originates from Old English 'hiw' meaning 'color'.

'hue' changed from the Old English word 'hiw' to Middle English 'hue'; the compound form 'three-hued' developed in modern English by combining the numeral and 'hued' to mean 'having three hues (colors)'.

Initially the element 'hue' meant 'color'; over time the compound 'three-hued' has come to mean specifically 'having three distinct colors.'