'coal-like' originates from English, formed by combining 'coal' (from Old English 'col') and the adjectival suffix '-like' (from Old English 'līċ', meaning 'form' or 'body').

'coal' developed from Old English 'col' to Middle English 'cole' and then Modern English 'coal'; the suffix '-like' derives from Old English 'līċ' → Middle English '-lik(e)' and became the productive Modern English suffix '-like', producing compounds such as 'coal-like'.

Initially the components meant 'coal' and 'like (form/appearance)'; together they originally and still primarily mean 'having the appearance or qualities of coal', so the basic meaning has remained stable.