'volume-expanded' originates from a combination of two English elements derived from Latin: 'volume' (from Latin 'volumen') and 'expanded' (from Latin 'expandere'), where the root 'volv-' in 'volumen' related to 'to roll/turn' and the prefix 'ex-' in 'expandere' meant 'out'.

'volume' came into English via Old French and Middle English from Latin 'volumen'; 'expandere' (Latin) developed into Old French/Medieval forms (e.g. 'espandre') and Middle English 'expand', and the past participle 'expanded' became the adjective form used in modern English; the compound 'volume-expanded' is a descriptive combination formed in modern usage.

Initially, the elements referred separately to 'a roll or amount (volumen)' and 'to spread out (expandere)'; over time they combined in modern descriptive English to mean 'having been increased in volume' as a single adjectival idea.