'prude-like' originates from Modern English, formed by the noun 'prude' + the suffix '-like', where the suffix '-like' meant 'having the characteristics of' or 'similar to'.

'prude' comes from Middle French 'prudefemme' (literally 'prudent woman') and Old French 'prud' (meaning 'prudent, modest'), ultimately from Latin 'prudens' meaning 'prudent'. The English suffix '-like' comes from Old English '-lic' meaning 'having the nature of'. These elements combined in Modern English to form 'prude-like'.

Initially 'prude' referred to a modest or prudent person (especially a woman); over time it acquired a mildly pejorative sense of being overly strict about sexual or social propriety, and 'prude-like' now conveys resemblance to that (often critical) attitude.