'goose-like' originates from English, specifically the words 'goose' and 'like', where 'goose' comes from Old English 'gōs' meaning 'goose' and 'like' comes from Old English 'līc' meaning 'form' or 'likeness'.

'goose-like' developed in Middle English from compounds such as 'gooselike' (with 'goose' from Old English 'gōs' and the adjectival element from Old English 'līc'), and over time the modern hyphenated form 'goose-like' became standard.

Initially, the compound meant 'having the form or qualities of a goose', and over time it has retained this meaning as 'resembling a goose' in modern usage.