'prawnlike' originates from Modern English, specifically the word 'prawn' combined with the suffix '-like', where 'prawn' referred to the small edible crustacean 'prawn' and '-like' meant 'having the form or nature of'.

'prawn' developed in Middle English (from forms such as 'pronne'/'prawn'), while the suffix '-like' comes from Old English 'lic' meaning 'body, form'; these elements were compounded in Modern English to form 'prawnlike'.

Initially, the components simply conveyed 'having the form of a prawn'; over time the compound has retained that basic sense and is used descriptively to indicate resemblance to a prawn.