'ribbon-like' originates from the English word 'ribbon,' which comes from the Middle English 'ribban,' derived from the Old French 'ruban,' meaning 'a strip of cloth.'

'ribban' transformed into the modern English word 'ribbon,' and the suffix '-like' was added to form 'ribbon-like.'

Initially, 'ribbon' referred to a strip of cloth, and 'ribbon-like' evolved to describe anything resembling a ribbon in appearance or movement.