'finch-like' originates from English, specifically the word 'finch' combined with the suffix '-like', where 'finch' referred to the bird 'finch' and the suffix '-like' meant 'having the form of or similar to'.

'finch' comes from Old English 'finc', from Proto-Germanic '*finkaz' (related to German 'Fink'); the productive English suffix '-like' (Old English '-lic' > Middle English '-like') was attached to create adjectives meaning 'similar to X', yielding compounds such as 'finch-like'.

Initially, 'finch' simply named the small passerine bird; over time, combining it with '-like' formed the adjective meaning 'having characteristics of a finch', a straightforward descriptive extension.