'variable-leaved' originates from Modern English, specifically a compound of the adjective 'variable' and the past-participial adjective-form 'leaved' (from 'leaf'), where 'variable' ultimately comes from Latin 'variabilis' meaning 'changeable' and 'leaf' from Old English 'lǣf' meaning 'leaf'.

'variable' entered English via Latin 'variabilis' (through Old French/Medieval usage) into Middle and then Modern English as 'variable'; 'leaf' was Old English 'lǣf', and the adjectival form 'leaved' developed from the past participle of 'leave/leaf' to describe possession of leaves; the compound 'variable-leaved' is a Modern English botanical formation combining these elements.

Initially it described the quality 'changeable' attached to 'leaf' (i.e., leaves that change or differ), and over time it has remained a descriptive botanical term meaning 'having variable leaves' in modern usage.