'rhino-like' is formed in modern English by combining 'rhino' (short for 'rhinoceros', ultimately from Greek 'rhis/ rhinos' meaning 'nose') and the English suffix 'like' (from Old English 'lic' meaning 'form' or 'appearance').

'rhino' comes from Greek 'rhis/ rhinos' and entered English via Latin/Greek forms such as 'rhinoceros'; the shortening to 'rhino' is modern English. The element 'like' evolved from Old English 'lic' through Middle English to the modern word 'like'. These elements were combined in Modern English to form the compound 'rhino-like'.

The original roots referred to 'nose' (Greek) and 'form/appearance' (Old English); combined in modern usage they mean 'resembling a rhinoceros', a straightforward compositional meaning that has remained stable.