'ground-like' originates from Modern English as a compound of 'ground' and the adjectival suffix '-like', where 'ground' comes from Old English 'grund' meaning 'bottom, foundation' and '-like' derives from Old English/Old Norse element 'lic' meaning 'similar'.

'ground-like' was formed in Modern English by compounding the noun 'ground' (from Old English 'grund') with the suffix '-like' (from Old English 'lic'); over time compounding with '-like' produced many descriptive adjectives such as 'child-like' and 'man-like', leading to usages like 'ground-like'.

Initially the components meant 'ground' (the bottom or foundation) and 'like' (similar), and the compound's sense of 'similar to the ground' has remained stable, though actual usage is relatively rare and often context-specific.