'well-cured' is a compound formed from English 'well' and 'cured'. 'well' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'wel', where 'wel' meant 'well' or 'fully'. 'cure' (the root of 'cured') ultimately originates from Latin, specifically the verb 'curare', where 'curare' meant 'to take care of'.

'cure' changed from Latin 'curare' into Old French forms and then Middle English (e.g. Middle English 'curen'), eventually becoming the modern English 'cure' and its past participle 'cured'. 'well' comes from Old English 'wel' and has long served as an adverb or intensifier combined with participles to form adjectives (e.g. 'well-made', 'well-known').

Initially, the Latin root 'curare' meant 'to take care (of)'; over time this evolved into the senses 'restore to health' and, in food contexts, 'preserve by salting/smoking/etc.' The compound 'well-cured' therefore carries the modern meanings 'thoroughly preserved' (food) and 'thoroughly healed' (medical).