'head-like' originates from English, specifically the word 'head' and the suffix '-like', where 'head' ultimately comes from Old English 'heafod' meaning 'head' and the suffix '-like' comes from Old English 'lic' meaning 'body, form; similar'.

'head' changed from the Old English word 'heafod' to Middle English 'hed' and eventually became the modern English word 'head'; the suffix '-like' developed from Old English 'lic' into Middle English '-like', which was then used to form compound adjectives such as 'head-like'.

Initially, the components referred literally to 'head' and 'similar/form' and were used to describe physical resemblance; over time the compound 'head-like' has been used both for literal shape resemblance and figuratively to denote head-like roles or positions.