'cactus-like' originates from English, specifically from the noun 'cactus' (borrowed into English from Neo-Latin 'cactus') combined with the adjectival suffix '-like' (from Old English 'lic' via Middle English '-like'), where 'cactus' referred to a spiny, succulent plant and '-like' meant 'having the form or characteristics of'.

'cactus' entered English from Neo-Latin 'cactus', which itself was taken from Greek 'kaktos'; the suffix '-like' comes from Old English 'lic' (later Middle English '-like') meaning 'having the form of', and the compound 'cactus-like' is a modern English formation combining these elements.

Initially, 'cactus' designated a particular spiny plant (the word's sense has broadened to include a range of succulent, often spiny plants), and '-like' has consistently been used to form adjectives meaning 'resembling'; together 'cactus-like' has retained the clear meaning 'resembling a cactus'.