'fruit-like' originates from the combination of 'fruit' and the suffix '-like', where 'fruit' refers to the sweet and fleshy product of a tree or other plant that contains seed and can be eaten as food, and '-like' means resembling or similar to.

'fruit' comes from the Old French word 'fruct', which in turn comes from the Latin 'fructus', meaning 'enjoyment, delight, satisfaction, proceeds, produce, or profit'. The suffix '-like' is derived from Old English 'lic', meaning 'body, form, or shape'.

Initially, 'fruit' referred to the produce of plants, and '-like' meant resembling. Together, 'fruit-like' has consistently meant resembling fruit.