'female-like' originates from English, specifically the adjective 'female' plus the adjectival suffix '-like', where 'female' ultimately comes from Latin 'femina' (woman) via Old French 'femelle', and '-like' comes from Old English 'lic' meaning 'form, likeness'.

'female' developed from Latin 'femina' → Old French 'femelle' → Middle English 'female' (with spelling influenced by Latin), while the suffix '-like' comes from Old English 'lic' → Middle English '-like' used to form adjectives meaning 'having the form of'. Combined in Modern English to form 'female-like'.

Initially, elements meant 'woman' (for 'female') and 'form/likeness' (for '-like'); over time they combined into an adjective meaning 'resembling a female', a straightforward compositional meaning that has remained stable.