'shovel-shaped' originates from modern English as a compound of 'shovel' and the formative suffix '-shaped'. 'shovel' comes from Middle English 'shovel' (from Old English/Old Germanic roots) meaning 'spade or scoop', and '-shaped' derives from the noun 'shape' used with a formative suffix to indicate form or likeness.

'shovel' evolved from Old English and Middle English forms referring to a digging implement and survived into modern English as 'shovel'. The adjective-forming pattern using '-shaped' (noun + '-shaped') developed in Modern English to create adjectives meaning 'having the shape of [noun]', producing compounds like 'shovel-shaped'.

Initially 'shovel' referred specifically to a digging implement; compounded as 'shovel-shaped', the phrase has meant 'having the shape of a shovel' since its formation and has retained that descriptive sense.