'holly-like' originates from English as a compound of 'holly' and the suffix '-like' (both from older English elements). 'holly' comes via Old English 'holegn'/'holen' meaning the holly tree, and '-like' comes from Old English suffix 'lic' meaning 'having the form of' or 'like'.

'holly' developed from Old English 'holegn'/'holen' into Middle English forms such as 'holin' and eventually modern English 'holly'. The suffix '-like' evolved from Old English 'lic' (Middle English '-liche'), producing modern productive adjectival suffix '-like'. The compound 'holly-like' is formed by combining these elements in Modern English.

Initially the elements meant specifically 'the holly tree' and 'having the form of'; combined they originally meant 'having the form or appearance of holly'. Over time the compound has been used both literally (describing plant characteristics) and figuratively (describing decorative or stylistic resemblance), but the core sense of 'resembling holly' remains.