'hen-like' originates from the English word 'hen,' which refers to a female bird, especially a chicken, combined with the suffix '-like,' indicating resemblance.

The word 'hen' comes from Old English 'henn,' which referred to a female bird, and '-like' is a common English suffix used to denote similarity.

Initially, 'hen' referred specifically to female chickens, but 'hen-like' has broadened to describe anything resembling a hen.