'immunoglobulin-domain-like' originates from a combination of the noun 'immunoglobulin', the noun 'domain', and the English adjectival suffix/word 'like'. 'Immunoglobulin' ultimately comes from Modern Latin 'immunoglobulinus' (from Latin 'immunis' meaning 'exempt' and Medieval/Neo-Latin 'globulinus' from Latin 'globulus' meaning 'small sphere'); 'domain' comes via Old French/Middle English from Latin 'dominium' (related to 'dominus' meaning 'lord'); 'like' comes from Old English 'lic' meaning 'form' or 'body'.

'immunoglobulin' was coined in modern scientific usage in the 20th century from 'immuno-' (relating to immunity) + 'globulin' (a class of globular proteins). 'Domain' entered English from Old French/Latin (Late Latin 'dominium' -> Old French/Anglo-Norman) and came to mean 'area' or 'distinct part'; 'like' derives from Old English 'lic' and developed into the productive modern suffix/word meaning 'resembling'. The compound 'immunoglobulin-domain-like' formed in modern biomedical English to describe structural similarity to antibody domains.

Initially the component words referred to 'immunity' ('immuno-'), 'a small sphere/protein' ('globulin'), a 'territory' or 'distinct part' ('domain'), and 'form/resemblance' ('like'); over time in scientific usage they combined so that the compound now specifically means 'having a structure similar to an immunoglobulin (antibody) domain.'