'consonant-like' originates from the English word 'consonant,' which comes from the Latin word 'consonare,' meaning 'to sound together.' The suffix '-like' is used to form adjectives indicating similarity or resemblance.

'Consonant' evolved from the Latin 'consonare' through Old French 'consonant,' eventually becoming the modern English word 'consonant.' The suffix '-like' has been used in English since the Middle Ages to denote similarity.

Initially, 'consonant' referred to sounds that were produced together with vowels, but over time, it has come to refer to any speech sound that is not a vowel.