'vaguely-returned' is a compound word formed from 'vaguely' and 'returned'. 'Vaguely' originates from the Latin word 'vagus', meaning 'wandering' or 'indeterminate'. 'Returned' comes from the Old French 'retourner', meaning 'to turn back'.

'Vaguely' evolved from the Latin 'vagus' through Old French 'vague', while 'returned' evolved from Old French 'retourner'. The combination of these words into 'vaguely-returned' is a modern English construct.

Initially, 'vague' meant 'wandering' or 'indeterminate', and 'return' meant 'to turn back'. The combination implies an unclear or indistinct manner of returning.