'amphisbaenian-esque' originates from modern English by combining 'amphisbaenian' and the suffix '-esque' (from French '-esque'), where 'amphisbaenian' refers to the reptile group named after the mythic 'Amphisbaena' and '-esque' meant 'in the style of' or 'resembling'.

'amphisbaenian' derives from Latin 'amphisbaena', which comes from Greek 'amphisbaîna' (ἀμφίσβαινα) referring to the mythic two-headed serpent 'Amphisbaena'; the suffix '-esque' entered English from French '-esque', itself from Italian '-esco', and earlier ultimately from Latin/vernacular formation patterns.

Initially it literally meant 'like or pertaining to the Amphisbaena (the mythical two-headed serpent or, by extension, the reptile group)', but over time it evolved into a descriptive adjective meaning 'resembling an amphisbaenian (the burrowing, often limbless reptile)' and can be used figuratively to describe shapes or qualities that recall such animals.