'waterfowl-related' originates from Modern English, specifically the compound 'waterfowl' + 'related', where 'waterfowl' meant 'water bird' and 'related' meant 'connected to or concerning.'

'waterfowl' derives from Old English elements 'wæter' (meaning 'water') + 'fugol' (meaning 'bird' or 'fowl') and evolved into the Modern English 'waterfowl'; 'related' comes via Middle English from Old French 'relater' and ultimately from Latin 'relatus' (past participle of 'referre'). The compound 'waterfowl-related' is a Modern English formation combining these elements.

Individually, 'waterfowl' originally meant 'birds of the water' and has retained that sense; 'related' originally meant 'brought back' in Latin-derived senses but came to mean 'connected to' in English. The compound 'waterfowl-related' thus developed to mean 'connected to waterfowl' and is used adjectivally.