'milk-based' originates from the combination of 'milk' and 'base,' where 'milk' refers to the white liquid produced by mammals and 'base' refers to the main ingredient or component.

'milk-based' evolved from the need to describe products primarily made from milk, combining the words 'milk' and 'base' in modern English.

Initially, it meant 'composed of milk,' and this meaning has remained consistent in modern usage.