'eellike' originates from Modern English, specifically formed from 'eel' + the suffix '-like', where 'eel' comes from Old English 'ǣl' meaning 'eel (the fish)' and the suffix '-like' (from Old English 'līc') meant 'having the form of'.

'eellike' developed by combining the noun 'eel' (Old English 'ǣl') with the Old English adjectival element 'līc/lik' (meaning 'body, form'), producing Middle English forms such as 'ellike' and eventually the modern hyphenated form 'eel-like'.

Initially, the components simply denoted 'having the form of an eel'; over time the compound has retained that basic sense and is used descriptively for shape, motion, or texture.