'wind-pollinated' is a modern English compound formed from 'wind' + the past participle of 'pollinate'. 'pollinate' ultimately derives from Latin 'pollen' meaning 'fine flour' or 'pollen', with the verb sense developed in scientific/medical Latin.

'pollinate' entered English from Late Latin/Neo-Latin formations based on Latin 'pollen' (plural 'pollinis'), which gave rise to verb forms such as 'pollinare'/'pollinatus' in post-classical Latin and then to English 'pollinate' via scientific usage; 'wind-pollinated' is the adjective formed in English by combining 'wind' with the past participle 'pollinated'.

Initially related specifically to supplying or applying 'pollen' ('to furnish with pollen'), it evolved into the broader modern sense 'to transfer pollen so that fertilization can occur', and compounds like 'wind-pollinated' specify the agent (wind) of that transfer.