'pollinator-safe' originates from the combination of 'pollinator' and 'safe', where 'pollinator' refers to an agent that carries pollen from one flower to another, and 'safe' means free from harm or risk.

'Pollinator' comes from the Latin word 'pollināre', meaning 'to sprinkle with fine dust', and 'safe' from the Old English 'sæf', meaning 'uninjured'.

Initially, 'pollinator' referred to the act of pollination, but it evolved to include the agents involved, while 'safe' has consistently meant free from harm.