'hooklike' originates from English, specifically a compound of the words 'hook' + 'like', where 'hook' meant 'a curved or bent implement or projection' and 'like' meant 'having the form of.'

'hook' comes from Old English 'hoc' (meaning 'hook, crook'), and 'like' comes from Old English 'lic' (meaning 'having the form of'). These elements were combined in Modern English to form the compound adjective 'hooklike.'

Initially it literally denoted 'having the form of a hook'; over time it has retained that primary sense and is used broadly to describe anything with a hooked or curved shape.