'bone-like' originates from the English word 'bone' combined with the suffix '-like', where 'bone' refers to the hard, rigid form of connective tissue and '-like' means 'resembling or similar to'.

'bone' from Old English 'bān' and '-like' from Old English 'līc', meaning 'body' or 'form'.

Initially, it meant 'resembling bone in form or structure', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.