'wing-bearing' is a Modern English compound formed from 'wing' + the present participle 'bearing' (from the verb 'bear'). 'wing' comes from Old English 'wenge'/'wenge'-type forms ultimately from Proto-Germanic *wingą meaning 'wing'; 'bear' comes from Old English 'beran' meaning 'to carry'.

'wing' developed in Germanic languages into Old English forms and remained as the basic word for the appendage; 'bear' (Old English 'beran') gave rise to the present participle 'bearing'; these elements combined in Modern English to form the descriptive compound 'wing-bearing'.

Initially the components meant 'wing' and 'to carry/possess', and the compound has retained that literal sense: it denotes 'having or carrying wings' in modern usage.