'unsalvageable' is formed from the prefix 'un-' and the adjective 'salvageable', where 'salvage' originates from Old French (from verbs such as 'sauver') ultimately from Latin 'salvare' meaning 'to save'.

'salvage' entered Middle English from Old French (related to 'sauver'/'salver') and developed into the noun and verb 'salvage' in English; the adjective 'salvageable' was later formed with the suffix '-able', and 'unsalvageable' was created by adding the negative prefix 'un-'.

Originally related to saving goods (especially from shipwreck), 'salvage' broadened to mean rescuing or recovering more generally; 'unsalvageable' now specifically means 'not able to be saved or restored'.