'direct-gazing' originates from Modern English as a compound of 'direct' and 'gazing'. 'direct' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'directus', where 'directus' meant 'straight'. 'gaze' (root of 'gazing') originates from Middle English, specifically the word 'gasen', where that root meant 'to stare'.

'direct' changed from Old French and Latin (Latin 'directus') into Middle and Modern English 'direct', and 'gaze' changed from Middle English 'gasen' into Modern English 'gaze'; these elements were later combined in Modern English to form the compound 'direct-gazing'.

Initially the elements meant 'straight' (from 'directus') and 'to stare' (from 'gasen'); over time they combined into the compound meaning the current sense of 'looking or staring straight at someone or something.'