'wood-built' originates from Modern English as a compound of 'wood' (from Old English 'wudu') and 'built' (past participle of 'build', from Old English 'byldan'/'būan'), where 'wood' meant 'tree/wood' and 'build' meant 'to construct.'

'wood' changed from Old English 'wudu' into Middle English 'wode' and eventually Modern English 'wood'; 'build' evolved from Old English verbs such as 'byldan'/'būan' through Middle English forms into Modern English 'build', with the past participle 'built'. The compound 'wood-built' developed in Modern English by combining these elements to describe something constructed of wood.

Initially the components referred separately to 'wood' (the material) and 'build' (to construct); the compound has retained the straightforward meaning 'constructed of wood' with little change over time.