'rodlike' originates from Modern English, formed from the noun 'rod' + the adjectival suffix '-like', where 'rod' meant 'a straight, slender stick' and '-like' meant 'having the form or appearance of'.

'rod' comes from Old English 'rodd' meaning 'pole, rod'; the suffix '-like' comes from Old English '-lic' meaning 'having the nature of', and over time these elements combined in Modern English to form 'rodlike'.

Initially, 'rod' referred specifically to a pole or stick and '-like' indicated similarity; together they came to mean 'having the shape or appearance of a rod'.