'belt-like' originates from English, specifically a compound of the noun 'belt' and the adjectival suffix '-like'.

'belt' comes from Old English 'bælt' (or 'belt'), ultimately related to Proto-Germanic *baltaz meaning a band or strip; the suffix '-like' comes from Old English '-līc' meaning 'having the form of' or 'similar to'. The modern compound 'belt-like' developed by combining these elements to mean 'like a belt'.

Initially the elements meant 'belt' (a band or strap) and 'like' (similar to); over time their compound came to be used as an adjective describing anything that has the form or function of a belt — 'resembling a belt'.