'foam-like' originates from English, specifically the compound of 'foam' and the suffix '-like', where 'foam' meant 'froth' and '-like' meant 'having the form of or characteristic of'.

'foam' changed from Old English forms such as 'fām'/'fōm' and Middle English 'fome' to the modern English 'foam', while the adjectival suffix '-like' derives from Old English '-līc' (body, form) which became Middle English '-like' and later the productive Modern English suffix '-like'.

Initially it meant 'having the form or qualities of foam', and over time the meaning has remained essentially the same, used to describe texture or appearance that resembles foam.