'human-like' is a compound formed from 'human' + the suffix '-like'. 'Human' ultimately comes from Latin 'humanus' meaning 'of man, humane', and the suffix '-like' comes via Old English 'lic' (later '-like') meaning 'having the form of'.

'Human' passed into English from Latin 'humanus' (via Old French 'humain' and Middle English), while the element '-like' developed from Old English 'lic'/'-līc' (meaning 'body, form') into the adjectival suffix '-like'; the compound 'human-like' is a modern English formation combining these elements.

Originally 'human' denoted 'of humankind' (and 'humane' implied compassionate); over time, combining with '-like' produced the adjective meaning 'resembling a human' as used today.