'glucose-like' originates from Modern English as a compound of 'glucose' and the adjectival suffix '-like' (meaning 'similar to'). 'Glucose' itself comes from New Latin 'glucosum', ultimately from Greek 'glykys' meaning 'sweet'.

'glucose' entered scientific English in the 19th century from New Latin 'glucosum' (from French/Med. Latin forms) and ultimately from Greek 'glykys'. The suffix '-like' descends from Old English 'līc' meaning 'body' and later 'similar', producing the adjectival use in Modern English compounds.

Initially the components signified 'sweet' (Greek 'glykys') and 'body/similar' (Old English 'līc'); combined in Modern English, 'glucose-like' has the straightforward current meaning 'similar to glucose' and has retained that descriptive sense in scientific usage.