'wood-related' originates from Modern English, a compound of 'wood' and 'related'. 'wood' traces back to Old English 'wudu', where 'wudu' meant 'wood, forest'; 'related' ultimately comes from Latin 'relatus' (past participle of 'referre'), via Old French 'relater', where 're-' meant 'back' and 'ferre/ferre' (Latin root 'ferre') meant 'to carry/bring'.

'wood' changed from Old English word 'wudu' to Middle English forms (e.g. 'wod') and eventually became the modern English 'wood'. 'related' developed from Latin 'referre' → past participle 'relatus' → Old French 'relater' → Middle English 'relaten' → modern 'relate' and its adjective form 'related'. The compound 'wood-related' emerged in Modern English by combining these elements to describe things connected to wood.

Initially, 'wood' primarily meant 'forest' or 'wooded area' and later broadened to include 'timber' or 'the material wood'; 'related' originally had senses tied to 'bringing back' or 'telling' (via Latin/Old French) but evolved to mean 'connected' or 'having a relationship'. Together as 'wood-related', the compound specifically means 'connected to wood or matters concerning wood'.