'girdle-like' originates from Modern English, specifically formed from the noun 'girdle' + the adjectival suffix '-like', where 'girdle' meant 'a belt' and '-like' meant 'having the form of or resembling'.

'girdle' changed from Old English 'gyrdel' (or 'gyrdlan' related forms) through Middle English 'girdel' to the modern English 'girdle'; the suffix '-like' derives from Old English '-lǣc'/'-lic' (later '-like') meaning 'having the nature of', and the compound combination produced the modern descriptive adjective 'girdle-like'.

Initially, 'girdle' meant 'a belt or band worn about the waist', and over time its sense broadened to denote any 'band or encircling structure'; combined with '-like', it now denotes 'resembling a girdle' or 'belt-shaped/encircling'.