'bandlike' originates from Modern English, specifically the combination of the noun 'band' and the suffix '-like', where 'band' meant 'a strip or something that binds' and '-like' meant 'similar to'.

'bandlike' was formed in Modern English by combining 'band' (which entered English via Old Norse and Old English from Proto-Germanic *bandaz meaning 'something that binds') and the Old English-derived suffix '‑like' (from Old English 'lic' meaning 'having the body of' or 'similar to').

Initially the root 'band' referred to a physical strip or something that binds; over time the compound 'bandlike' has been used to mean 'having the appearance or qualities of a band', including figurative uses for markings, layers, or belts.