'unhusked' originates from Old English prefix 'un-' (meaning 'not') combined with 'husk', which comes from Middle English 'husk(e)'.

'husk' changed from Middle English 'husk(e)' (of uncertain origin, possibly Scandinavian); the negating prefix 'un-' (Old English) was attached to form 'unhusk' in later English, and the past/past-participle form 'unhusked' developed accordingly.

Initially it referred to the presence or removal of the outer covering ('husk' meaning 'outer covering'); over time the combination 'un-' + 'husk' kept the core meaning of 'not having the husk removed' and this meaning remains in modern usage.